Modification of electrodes with self-assembled, close-packed AuNPs for improved signal reproducibility toward electrochemical detection of dopamine

Abstract Electrochemical sensors benefit from low cost and fast detection speeds, which makes them suitable for routine analysis of small biological molecules such as dopamine (DA). DA is a neurotransmitter that plays an important physiological role and can be used as a marker for conditions such as depressive disorder and Parkinson’s disease. In this communication, electrodes modified with self-assembled gold nanoparticles (SA-AuNPs) were used as electrochemical sensors for the detection of DA with the aim of achieving better signal stability among the same batch of electrodes. High signal reproducibility among the SA-AuNP-modified electrodes was obtained due to the more orderly packing of AuNPs leading to relatively consistent electrochemical resistance and homogeneous mass transport.