Reusable graphite-based electrochemical sensors for L-dopa and dopamine detection

Abstract

A fully reusable electrochemical device is proposed for the first time made from laser cutting and a homemade conductive ink composed of carbon and nail polish. As a sensor substrate, we applied polymethyl methacrylate, which allows the surface to be renewed by simply removing and reapplying a new layer of ink. In addition to the ease of renewing the sensor's conductive surface, the design of the device has allowed for the integration of different forms of analysis. The determination of L-Dopa was performed using DPV, which presented a linear response range between 5.0 and 1000.0 μmol L^-1, and a LOD of 0.11 μmol L^-1. For dopamine, a flow injection analysis system was employed, and using the amperometric technique measurements were performed with a linear ranging from 2.0 to 100.0 μmol L^-1 and a LOD of 0.26 μmol L^-1. To demonstrate its applicability, the device was used in the quantification of analytes in pharmaceutical drug and synthetic urine samples.

Keywords: Amperometry; Differential pulse voltammetry; Dopamine; Flow injection; L-Dopa; Point-of-care detection; Reusable electrochemical platform.