# Ultrasensitive and Selective Electrochemical Detection of Dopamine Based on CuO/PVA Nanocomposite-Modified GC Electrode

Authors: A. Mohamed Azharudeen; Arpita Roy; R. Karthiga; S. Arun Prabhu; M. G. Prakash; A. Mohamed Ismail Badhusha; Huma Ali; Khadijah Mohammedsaleh Katubi; Md. Rabiul Islam
Journal: International Journal of Photoenergy
 (2022)

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## Abstract

At present, the determination of dopamine (DA) is enormously necessary for the human body. Since then, it has played a crucial role in the brain that affects mood, sleep, memory, learning, and concentration. Dopamine insufficiency is a threat to human health. Dopamine recognition is important to avoid this problem. Copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles are one of the potentials which can be used in the detection of dopamine level in the sample. In this work, CuO was synthesized by a simple chemical precipitation technique and modified by polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as a capping agent. The nanomaterials manufactured are used for the detection of dopamine in 0.1 M PBS medium at room temperature. The CuO/PVA-modified electrode shows better electrocatalytic activity than CuO/GCE (glassy carbon electrode). The constructed dopamine biosensor of copper oxide-PVA nanocomposites also has extraordinary selectivity, stability, sensitivity (183.12μA mM-1 cm-2), and a minimum level detection limit of 0.017 μM, is inexpensive, and has minimal effort and rapid detection of dopamine.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

The biomolecules are playing a significant role in the human body. They are involved in metabolic processes, and some of them act as neurotransmitters, neuroactive molecules, etc. Among the biomolecules, dopamine is one of the predominated ones, which is located naturally in the human body. It is a catecholamine neurotransmitter that directs the signal from the body to the brain. It controls the movement and emotional responses of humans. When dopamine levels are diminished in the human body, it causes Parkinson and schizophrenic diseases [1]. Furthermore, dopamine regulates all brain functions; it may protect the human heart racing and widen blood vessels in the viscera, which is effective in the treatment of cardiogenic shock and kidney failure [2]. Therefore, measurement of dopamine level in the human body is necessary.Recently, in the realm of biomolecule detection such as dopamine, the electrochemical sensor has become one of the most essential detection technologies. It has small smart equipment and real-time monitoring. Moreover, immunoassays, biosensors, and other disciplines of research use the electrochemical sensors for various applications. Nowadays, metal oxide based on electrochemical sensors received huge attention towards dopamine detection [2]. Among the metal oxide, CuO semiconductors are excellent candidates for dopamine detection. Owing to their unique properties, such as electrocatalytic catalytic activity, antipoisoning of chloridion, and small band gap, they show a magnificent quality. For instance, Reddy coworkers reported that CuO nanoparticles have sensor characteristics for determining dopamine electrochemically [3]. Furthermore, Li et al. [4] reported Ag-doped CuO nanoparticles for the electrochemical determination of DA in human serum, Zhuang et al. [5] synthesized Co3O4/CuO nanocage for dopamine biosensing, and Zou et al. accounted for g-C3N4/CuO nanocomposites for the evaluation of dopamine [6].Electrical, optical, heterogeneous catalysis, photovoltaic devices, FE emitters, gas sensing, Li ion electrode materials, and magnetic storage media have all been successfully made with copper oxide nanoparticles [7]. Though there are several attempts for preparing homogeneous nanoparticles and nanostructured metal oxides (NMOs) applied in the field of dopamine sensor, owing to their elevated oxidation potential, trivial sensitivity, and fouling of the oxidation signals, the researchers nowadays develop nanocomposite materials to resolve these problems [8].A polymer-incorporated nanomaterial is frequently utilized to ameliorate the conductivity and catalytic tendency of sensors and to drastically increase the strength of the electrochemical transmission when developing nanocomposites based on metal oxide/copper oxide [9]. For instance, polymers such as PEG [10], PVP [11], PVA [12], PAA [13], and polyaniline (PANI) [14] are effectively used in the fabrication of a biosensor. The polymer plays a huge attention in electrochemical sensor because of the unique characters of polymer such as conductive nature, compatibility, electron supporter, and inexpensive [15, 16]. As a result, dopamine levels have been linked to the sensitivity and advancement of neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. The ability to detect DA in a sensitive and selective manner is critical for diagnosing neurological illnesses. To the best of our knowledge, no study has reported the synthesis of CuO-modified PVA nanocomposite for the detection of dopamine. In this study, a CuO/PVA-modified GCE-based electrochemical sensor was established for the detection of dopamine.


## 2. Materials and Methods

2.4 g of 0.1 M copper nitrate trihydrate was dissolved in 100 mL of distilled water (DW), and 0.8 g of 0.2 M NaOH was dissolved in 100 mL of DW separately. The copper nitrate trihydrate solution was taken in a flask, and the NaOH solution was added dropwise under continuous magnetic stirring for 2 h. The precipitate was then filtered off and heated in a hot air oven at 120°C for 1 hr. The product was finely crushed and calcinated at 500°C for 2 hrs in a muffle furnace, and the obtained product was black in colour. Then, the PVA was incorporated on the CuO nanoparticles through the chemical impregnated method. The synthesized nanocomposite was characterized using FT-IR, XRD, SEM, and EDS. The prepared CuO/PVA nanocomposite was employed as a dopamine (DA) sensor.


## 3. Result and Discussion

### 3.1. FT-IR

The tentative frequency assignment of arranged spectra for pure and PVA-coated CuO nanoparticles is shown in Figure1. The major characteristic peaks at ~3380.57 cm−1 for O-H stretching mode of PVA [17]. There are sharp characteristic vibrational bands (Figures 1(a) and 1(b)) observed at 421.72 and 433.87 cm−1 in the spectrum of pure and PVA-incorporated CuO NPs which are corresponding towards the Cu-O bond formation and vibrations of CuO monoclinic phase [18]. This affirmed the formation of CuO nanoparticle, and no impurity peaks was found in the sample as well.Figure 1
FT-IR spectrum of (a) CuO and (b) CuO/PVA nanocomposites.


### 3.2. Raman Analysis

Figure2 visualizes the Raman spectrum of CuO, PVA-coated CuO NPs. In Figure 3(a), the Raman peaks observed at 291.71, 332.38, and 629.23 cm−1 are related to the Ag, Bg1, and Bg2 mode of CuO [19]. Then, Raman bands are positioned at 300.54, 347.27, and 632.54 cm−1 in the PVA-modified CuO NPs (Figure 2(b)) sample. The intensity of the Raman peaks expanded in the PVA-incorporated CuO NPs renders to the CuO modified with PVA.Figure 2
Raman spectrum of (a) CuO and (b) CuO/PVA nanocomposites.Figure 3
SEM images of (a) CuO and (b) CuO/PVA nanocomposites.
(a)(b)Moreover, the Raman bands located at 2948.63, and 3418.84 cm−1 are relevant to the elongated mode of C-C and O-H in PVA [20, 21]. This reveals the capping action of PVA on the CuO surface. Further, the Raman bands are red shifted in the Raman spectrum of PVA-coated CuO NPs showing the surface enhancement effect.


### 3.3. Crystal Structure

Figure4 visualizes the XRD pattern of synthesized CuO and PVA-coated CuO NPs. The formation of CuO phase in 700°C annealed samples was confirmed by an X-ray diffractometer. The average crystallite sizes (D) were calculated by Scherrer’s formula (eqution (1)) given below.
(1)D=Kλβcosθ,Figure 4
XRD patterns of (a) CuO and (b) CuO/PVA nanocomposites.whereλ is the X-ray wavelength, β stands for FWHM, K is equals to 0.89, and θ is the Bragg diffraction angle. The average particle sizes of the nanoparticles were calculated to be 30.78 and 15.16 nm for CuO and PVA-coated CuO, respectively. The diffraction peaks were matched using JCPDS software, and it was well-matched with the CuO of file no. JCPDF 89-5899 (Figure 4(a)) acquired at 35.3°, 38.5°, 48.6°, 58.1°, 61.8°, 66.4°, and 68.5° can be assigned to the (−111), (111), (−202), (−113), (−311), and (220) planes of CuO [22] phase: monoclinic, lattice: end-centered, (a=4.68, b=3.42, and c=5.13). There are no debasement peaks in the patterns, indicating that the produced CuO samples are pure, and the crisp diffraction peaks reveal a magnificent crystal structure of the created CuO. Moreover, the XRD pattern of CuO compared with PVA-incorporated CuO NPs (Figure 4(b)) can keep the typical CuO crystal structure afterward incorporating with PVA.There is a trivial alteration in crystallite size while there is intercalation of PVA. This reduction of crystallite size is chiefly due to the alteration in the host CuO by the doping/capping agent. This reveals the incorporation of PVA on the surface of CuO. Hence, construction of a nanocomposite is confirmed. The FT-IR and Raman results corroborate very well with the XRD result.


### 3.4. Morphological Study

Figure3 visualizes the SEM images of CuO PVA-modified CuO NPs. The SEM image of CuO (Figure 3(a)) shows small rods/ball-like structure, and the surface is rough. However, PVA-coated CuO NPs (Figure 3(b)) exhibit small hallow nanoflake-like morphology, and the size of the PVA-coated CuO NPs is smaller than CuO. This illustrates the doping/capping happening on the surface of CuO. Consequently, the PVA dramatically change the cryogenically fractured surface of the PVA-incorporated CuO NPs.The elemental distributions of prepared nanomaterials were determined by EDS measurement. The EDS spectrum of CuO and PVA-coated CuO NPs was presented in Figures5(a) and 5(b). The fundamental peaks of Cu and O are observed in the EDS spectrum. The uncoated sample exhibits the purity of the CuO nanoparticle. The fabricated nanomaterials display decent stoichiometry and profoundly porous nature. The sensor’s very porous surface of PVA-modified CuO NPs is a key feature. Furthermore, the intensity of Cu increases from 1490.18 to 2487.72 in the EDS spectrum of PVA-coated CuO NPs (Figure 5(b)). This is because the surface modifier of PVP enlarges the intensity of the Cu. It corroborates the PVA present on the surface of CuO.Figure 5
EDX images of (a) CuO and (b) CuO/PVA nanocomposites.
(a)(b)


### 3.5. Application

The neurotransmitters are endogenous substances that allow nerve impulses to be transmitted between neurons via the synapse. It also relaxes the brain while stimulating excitatory neurotransmitters. In neurotransmitter progression, DA acts as a messenger molecule, binding to neurotransmitter receptors and transporters by magnitude of distribution between the synaptic fissures [23]. DA, on the other hand, is a rare neurotransmitter in that it is classified as both excitatory and inhibitory. It regulates attention, cognition, pleasure, movement, and hormonal functions, among other things. It is also found in the CNS, hormonal, urinary system, and heart-circulatory systems [24]. The quantity of dopamine that is abnormally formed in the CNS is a symptom of a fundamental neurological problem in the body of the person. As a result, DA monitoring takes precedence.


#### 3.5.1. Study of Dopamine Sensing on a CuO/PVA-Modified GC Electrode

The electrocatalytic activity of CuO/GCE and CuO/PVA/GCE nanocomposites was examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV) studies in 1 mM of K3[Fe(CN)6], under 0.1 M of PBS (pH=7.0). Figure 6 shows couple of distinct redox peak seemed to bare GC electrode. This demonstrates that the redox behavior of DA may be accomplished using a two electrons and two protons method, which is possible since electrons transfer at the base GCE electrode in a quasireversible and sluggish manner. Several anodic and cathodic curves were seen at 0.23 and −0.11 V for CuO/GCE, respectively, as well as a redox peak at 0.20 and −0.14 V for CuO/PVA/GCE. Among these modified electrodes, the anodic peak current of CuO/PVA/GCE has been increased. This shows the high surface area and promotes more conducting electron transfer from K3[Fe(CN)6] to the CuO/PVA/GC electrode.Figure 6
CV curve of CuO/GCE and CuO/PVA/GCE in a 0.1 M PB solution at the scan rate of 50 mV s−1.The higher anodic curve potential is due to the excellent electrooxidation of Cu (II)/Cu (III) towards DA. The redox behavior of CuO/PVA/GCE revealed the brilliant electrocatalytic activity and enormous surface area provided by PVA.


#### 3.5.2. Amperometric Detection of Dopamine at CuO/PVA-Modified GC Electrode

The detection limit and concentration range are crucial factors to consider when evaluating the performance of an electrochemical sensor. CuO/PVA/amperometric GCE’s reaction to DA in 0.1 M PB solution was measured. The potential anodic peak was observed in the range of +0.1 to +0.3 V in Figure7. As a result, the best applied potential may be found between +0.1 and +0.3 V. The effect of applied potential on amperometric measurements was inspected by adding 2 μM of dopamine every 50 seconds at varied potentials of +0.1, +0.2, and +0.3 V.Figure 7
Amperometric measurement of CuO/PVA/GCE biosensor with the addition of each 2μM dopamine in 0.1 M of PBS analyzed at 0.1, 0.2, and +0.3 V.The current responsiveness of 2μM DA hiked dramatically as the applied potential was increased from +0.1 to +0.3 V, as shown in Figure 7. At +0.2 V, the current response was 1-fold larger than that of +0.1 V and 1-fold smaller than that of +0.3 V. As a result, the ideal constant applied potential for amperometric detection of DA was determined to be +0.2 V. IpaA=7.34+0.56Cdopamine with correlation coefficient (R2). 0.9914 is calculated from the calibration plot (not shown) of the optimal applied potential at +0.1 V with the linear regression formula. With a sensitivity of 183.12 μA mM−1 cm−2, the sensor has a small detection limit of (S/N=3) of 0.017 μM.Table1 compares the results of the current DA sensor to those of other DA sensors that have been reported. CuO/PVA/GC electrode, among the many modified electrodes, offers greater sensitivity, an extensive linear range, a lower detection limit, and speedy detection of DA, making it a promising choice for the dopamine sensor.Table 1
Assessment of sensing action of the CuO/PVA/GC electrode with other fabricated electrodes.
S. noElectrodesLOD(μM)Reference1Au/Pt/GCE24[25]2Pd3Pt1/RGO/GCE0.04[26]3Ag NPs/P (Arg)-GO/GCE0.01[27]4Ni- ZIF-8/N S–CNTs/GCE0.93[28]5Pd NPs/GR/CS/GCE0.1[29]6PdAg NFs/rGO/GCE0.048[30]7Ni-meso-PANI/GCE9.6[31]8Ni/C/GCE0.05[32]9GP-MWCNTs-Au NCs/GCE0.77[33]10CuO/PVA/GCE0.017This work


#### 3.5.3. Interference Analysis

To examine the selectivity of the sensor towards dopamine, an interference study was analyzed. The interference species such as 100μM of fructose, 100 μM of sucrose, 100 μM of lactose, 100 μM of glucose, 100 μM ureic acid (UA), 100 μM of ascorbic acid (AA), 100 μM of urea, and 100 μM of hydrogen peroxide as well as the common ionic species such as potassium chloride in biological media were added to the electrolyte solution during the amperometric analysis of DA. As shown in Figure 8, none of these species disclose any important manipulate on the DA oxidation current even at high concentration (100 μM) indicates the stupendous selectivity of the CuO/PVA/GC electrode towards DA detection.Figure 8
Amperometric detection of interfering species of the sensor in 0.1 M PBS with 100μM of fructose, 100 μM of glucose, 100 μM of lactose, 100 μM of sucrose, 100 μM ureic acid (UA), 100 μM of ascorbic acid (AA), 100 μM of urea, and 100 μM of hydrogen peroxide as well as the common ionic species potassium chloride.


#### 3.5.4. Stability and Reproducibility

The electrochemical sensor performance is primarily evaluated by the steadiness and reproducibility of the produced sensor. For 0.5μM of DA in 0.1 M of PBS (pH=7), the CVs of the CuO/PVA/GCE-modified electrode were recorded. For 20 repeated trials, the oxidation peak potential of DA stayed constant with a relative standard deviation of 1.3 percent and 1.1 percent, respectively. To test the modified electrodes’ repeatability, 10 CuO/PVA/GCE sensors were fabricated identically for the monitoring of DA, and their electrocatalytic current signal was established with RSD of 5.09 percent. These findings show that the suggested modified electrode can function as a stable biosensor for DA with elevated sensitivity and selectivity.


### 3.6. Real Sample Analysis

The urine samples from the male patient were accumulated at the Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital, Tirunelveli. Primarily, the urine sample was diluted 10 times before using a medium for dopamine analysis. The DA was calculated by the SA method. The analytical outcomes are displayed in Table2. All samples show a retrieval of more than 100%, which may be due to the inherent dopamine present in biological samples or complex matrix effects of the medium. However, the recovery was noticed to be very close to 100%; this discloses the appropriateness and selectivity of CuO/PVA/GCE sensors for the discovery of DA in biological samples.Table 2
Determination of DA in human urine samples using the CuO/PVA/GCE sensor (practical application of the proposed methodn=3).
Urine sampleAdded (μM)Found (μM)RSD (%)Recovery (%)A54.132.6998.50B54.542.4598.89C54.132.3998.79D54.491.9499.43E54.672.2399.63


## 3.1. FT-IR

The tentative frequency assignment of arranged spectra for pure and PVA-coated CuO nanoparticles is shown in Figure1. The major characteristic peaks at ~3380.57 cm−1 for O-H stretching mode of PVA [17]. There are sharp characteristic vibrational bands (Figures 1(a) and 1(b)) observed at 421.72 and 433.87 cm−1 in the spectrum of pure and PVA-incorporated CuO NPs which are corresponding towards the Cu-O bond formation and vibrations of CuO monoclinic phase [18]. This affirmed the formation of CuO nanoparticle, and no impurity peaks was found in the sample as well.Figure 1
FT-IR spectrum of (a) CuO and (b) CuO/PVA nanocomposites.


## 3.2. Raman Analysis

Figure2 visualizes the Raman spectrum of CuO, PVA-coated CuO NPs. In Figure 3(a), the Raman peaks observed at 291.71, 332.38, and 629.23 cm−1 are related to the Ag, Bg1, and Bg2 mode of CuO [19]. Then, Raman bands are positioned at 300.54, 347.27, and 632.54 cm−1 in the PVA-modified CuO NPs (Figure 2(b)) sample. The intensity of the Raman peaks expanded in the PVA-incorporated CuO NPs renders to the CuO modified with PVA.Figure 2
Raman spectrum of (a) CuO and (b) CuO/PVA nanocomposites.Figure 3
SEM images of (a) CuO and (b) CuO/PVA nanocomposites.
(a)(b)Moreover, the Raman bands located at 2948.63, and 3418.84 cm−1 are relevant to the elongated mode of C-C and O-H in PVA [20, 21]. This reveals the capping action of PVA on the CuO surface. Further, the Raman bands are red shifted in the Raman spectrum of PVA-coated CuO NPs showing the surface enhancement effect.


## 3.3. Crystal Structure

Figure4 visualizes the XRD pattern of synthesized CuO and PVA-coated CuO NPs. The formation of CuO phase in 700°C annealed samples was confirmed by an X-ray diffractometer. The average crystallite sizes (D) were calculated by Scherrer’s formula (eqution (1)) given below.
(1)D=Kλβcosθ,Figure 4
XRD patterns of (a) CuO and (b) CuO/PVA nanocomposites.whereλ is the X-ray wavelength, β stands for FWHM, K is equals to 0.89, and θ is the Bragg diffraction angle. The average particle sizes of the nanoparticles were calculated to be 30.78 and 15.16 nm for CuO and PVA-coated CuO, respectively. The diffraction peaks were matched using JCPDS software, and it was well-matched with the CuO of file no. JCPDF 89-5899 (Figure 4(a)) acquired at 35.3°, 38.5°, 48.6°, 58.1°, 61.8°, 66.4°, and 68.5° can be assigned to the (−111), (111), (−202), (−113), (−311), and (220) planes of CuO [22] phase: monoclinic, lattice: end-centered, (a=4.68, b=3.42, and c=5.13). There are no debasement peaks in the patterns, indicating that the produced CuO samples are pure, and the crisp diffraction peaks reveal a magnificent crystal structure of the created CuO. Moreover, the XRD pattern of CuO compared with PVA-incorporated CuO NPs (Figure 4(b)) can keep the typical CuO crystal structure afterward incorporating with PVA.There is a trivial alteration in crystallite size while there is intercalation of PVA. This reduction of crystallite size is chiefly due to the alteration in the host CuO by the doping/capping agent. This reveals the incorporation of PVA on the surface of CuO. Hence, construction of a nanocomposite is confirmed. The FT-IR and Raman results corroborate very well with the XRD result.


## 3.4. Morphological Study

Figure3 visualizes the SEM images of CuO PVA-modified CuO NPs. The SEM image of CuO (Figure 3(a)) shows small rods/ball-like structure, and the surface is rough. However, PVA-coated CuO NPs (Figure 3(b)) exhibit small hallow nanoflake-like morphology, and the size of the PVA-coated CuO NPs is smaller than CuO. This illustrates the doping/capping happening on the surface of CuO. Consequently, the PVA dramatically change the cryogenically fractured surface of the PVA-incorporated CuO NPs.The elemental distributions of prepared nanomaterials were determined by EDS measurement. The EDS spectrum of CuO and PVA-coated CuO NPs was presented in Figures5(a) and 5(b). The fundamental peaks of Cu and O are observed in the EDS spectrum. The uncoated sample exhibits the purity of the CuO nanoparticle. The fabricated nanomaterials display decent stoichiometry and profoundly porous nature. The sensor’s very porous surface of PVA-modified CuO NPs is a key feature. Furthermore, the intensity of Cu increases from 1490.18 to 2487.72 in the EDS spectrum of PVA-coated CuO NPs (Figure 5(b)). This is because the surface modifier of PVP enlarges the intensity of the Cu. It corroborates the PVA present on the surface of CuO.Figure 5
EDX images of (a) CuO and (b) CuO/PVA nanocomposites.
(a)(b)


## 3.5. Application

The neurotransmitters are endogenous substances that allow nerve impulses to be transmitted between neurons via the synapse. It also relaxes the brain while stimulating excitatory neurotransmitters. In neurotransmitter progression, DA acts as a messenger molecule, binding to neurotransmitter receptors and transporters by magnitude of distribution between the synaptic fissures [23]. DA, on the other hand, is a rare neurotransmitter in that it is classified as both excitatory and inhibitory. It regulates attention, cognition, pleasure, movement, and hormonal functions, among other things. It is also found in the CNS, hormonal, urinary system, and heart-circulatory systems [24]. The quantity of dopamine that is abnormally formed in the CNS is a symptom of a fundamental neurological problem in the body of the person. As a result, DA monitoring takes precedence.


### 3.5.1. Study of Dopamine Sensing on a CuO/PVA-Modified GC Electrode

The electrocatalytic activity of CuO/GCE and CuO/PVA/GCE nanocomposites was examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV) studies in 1 mM of K3[Fe(CN)6], under 0.1 M of PBS (pH=7.0). Figure 6 shows couple of distinct redox peak seemed to bare GC electrode. This demonstrates that the redox behavior of DA may be accomplished using a two electrons and two protons method, which is possible since electrons transfer at the base GCE electrode in a quasireversible and sluggish manner. Several anodic and cathodic curves were seen at 0.23 and −0.11 V for CuO/GCE, respectively, as well as a redox peak at 0.20 and −0.14 V for CuO/PVA/GCE. Among these modified electrodes, the anodic peak current of CuO/PVA/GCE has been increased. This shows the high surface area and promotes more conducting electron transfer from K3[Fe(CN)6] to the CuO/PVA/GC electrode.Figure 6
CV curve of CuO/GCE and CuO/PVA/GCE in a 0.1 M PB solution at the scan rate of 50 mV s−1.The higher anodic curve potential is due to the excellent electrooxidation of Cu (II)/Cu (III) towards DA. The redox behavior of CuO/PVA/GCE revealed the brilliant electrocatalytic activity and enormous surface area provided by PVA.


### 3.5.2. Amperometric Detection of Dopamine at CuO/PVA-Modified GC Electrode

The detection limit and concentration range are crucial factors to consider when evaluating the performance of an electrochemical sensor. CuO/PVA/amperometric GCE’s reaction to DA in 0.1 M PB solution was measured. The potential anodic peak was observed in the range of +0.1 to +0.3 V in Figure7. As a result, the best applied potential may be found between +0.1 and +0.3 V. The effect of applied potential on amperometric measurements was inspected by adding 2 μM of dopamine every 50 seconds at varied potentials of +0.1, +0.2, and +0.3 V.Figure 7
Amperometric measurement of CuO/PVA/GCE biosensor with the addition of each 2μM dopamine in 0.1 M of PBS analyzed at 0.1, 0.2, and +0.3 V.The current responsiveness of 2μM DA hiked dramatically as the applied potential was increased from +0.1 to +0.3 V, as shown in Figure 7. At +0.2 V, the current response was 1-fold larger than that of +0.1 V and 1-fold smaller than that of +0.3 V. As a result, the ideal constant applied potential for amperometric detection of DA was determined to be +0.2 V. IpaA=7.34+0.56Cdopamine with correlation coefficient (R2). 0.9914 is calculated from the calibration plot (not shown) of the optimal applied potential at +0.1 V with the linear regression formula. With a sensitivity of 183.12 μA mM−1 cm−2, the sensor has a small detection limit of (S/N=3) of 0.017 μM.Table1 compares the results of the current DA sensor to those of other DA sensors that have been reported. CuO/PVA/GC electrode, among the many modified electrodes, offers greater sensitivity, an extensive linear range, a lower detection limit, and speedy detection of DA, making it a promising choice for the dopamine sensor.Table 1
Assessment of sensing action of the CuO/PVA/GC electrode with other fabricated electrodes.
S. noElectrodesLOD(μM)Reference1Au/Pt/GCE24[25]2Pd3Pt1/RGO/GCE0.04[26]3Ag NPs/P (Arg)-GO/GCE0.01[27]4Ni- ZIF-8/N S–CNTs/GCE0.93[28]5Pd NPs/GR/CS/GCE0.1[29]6PdAg NFs/rGO/GCE0.048[30]7Ni-meso-PANI/GCE9.6[31]8Ni/C/GCE0.05[32]9GP-MWCNTs-Au NCs/GCE0.77[33]10CuO/PVA/GCE0.017This work


### 3.5.3. Interference Analysis

To examine the selectivity of the sensor towards dopamine, an interference study was analyzed. The interference species such as 100μM of fructose, 100 μM of sucrose, 100 μM of lactose, 100 μM of glucose, 100 μM ureic acid (UA), 100 μM of ascorbic acid (AA), 100 μM of urea, and 100 μM of hydrogen peroxide as well as the common ionic species such as potassium chloride in biological media were added to the electrolyte solution during the amperometric analysis of DA. As shown in Figure 8, none of these species disclose any important manipulate on the DA oxidation current even at high concentration (100 μM) indicates the stupendous selectivity of the CuO/PVA/GC electrode towards DA detection.Figure 8
Amperometric detection of interfering species of the sensor in 0.1 M PBS with 100μM of fructose, 100 μM of glucose, 100 μM of lactose, 100 μM of sucrose, 100 μM ureic acid (UA), 100 μM of ascorbic acid (AA), 100 μM of urea, and 100 μM of hydrogen peroxide as well as the common ionic species potassium chloride.


### 3.5.4. Stability and Reproducibility

The electrochemical sensor performance is primarily evaluated by the steadiness and reproducibility of the produced sensor. For 0.5μM of DA in 0.1 M of PBS (pH=7), the CVs of the CuO/PVA/GCE-modified electrode were recorded. For 20 repeated trials, the oxidation peak potential of DA stayed constant with a relative standard deviation of 1.3 percent and 1.1 percent, respectively. To test the modified electrodes’ repeatability, 10 CuO/PVA/GCE sensors were fabricated identically for the monitoring of DA, and their electrocatalytic current signal was established with RSD of 5.09 percent. These findings show that the suggested modified electrode can function as a stable biosensor for DA with elevated sensitivity and selectivity.


## 3.5.1. Study of Dopamine Sensing on a CuO/PVA-Modified GC Electrode

The electrocatalytic activity of CuO/GCE and CuO/PVA/GCE nanocomposites was examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV) studies in 1 mM of K3[Fe(CN)6], under 0.1 M of PBS (pH=7.0). Figure 6 shows couple of distinct redox peak seemed to bare GC electrode. This demonstrates that the redox behavior of DA may be accomplished using a two electrons and two protons method, which is possible since electrons transfer at the base GCE electrode in a quasireversible and sluggish manner. Several anodic and cathodic curves were seen at 0.23 and −0.11 V for CuO/GCE, respectively, as well as a redox peak at 0.20 and −0.14 V for CuO/PVA/GCE. Among these modified electrodes, the anodic peak current of CuO/PVA/GCE has been increased. This shows the high surface area and promotes more conducting electron transfer from K3[Fe(CN)6] to the CuO/PVA/GC electrode.Figure 6
CV curve of CuO/GCE and CuO/PVA/GCE in a 0.1 M PB solution at the scan rate of 50 mV s−1.The higher anodic curve potential is due to the excellent electrooxidation of Cu (II)/Cu (III) towards DA. The redox behavior of CuO/PVA/GCE revealed the brilliant electrocatalytic activity and enormous surface area provided by PVA.


## 3.5.2. Amperometric Detection of Dopamine at CuO/PVA-Modified GC Electrode

The detection limit and concentration range are crucial factors to consider when evaluating the performance of an electrochemical sensor. CuO/PVA/amperometric GCE’s reaction to DA in 0.1 M PB solution was measured. The potential anodic peak was observed in the range of +0.1 to +0.3 V in Figure7. As a result, the best applied potential may be found between +0.1 and +0.3 V. The effect of applied potential on amperometric measurements was inspected by adding 2 μM of dopamine every 50 seconds at varied potentials of +0.1, +0.2, and +0.3 V.Figure 7
Amperometric measurement of CuO/PVA/GCE biosensor with the addition of each 2μM dopamine in 0.1 M of PBS analyzed at 0.1, 0.2, and +0.3 V.The current responsiveness of 2μM DA hiked dramatically as the applied potential was increased from +0.1 to +0.3 V, as shown in Figure 7. At +0.2 V, the current response was 1-fold larger than that of +0.1 V and 1-fold smaller than that of +0.3 V. As a result, the ideal constant applied potential for amperometric detection of DA was determined to be +0.2 V. IpaA=7.34+0.56Cdopamine with correlation coefficient (R2). 0.9914 is calculated from the calibration plot (not shown) of the optimal applied potential at +0.1 V with the linear regression formula. With a sensitivity of 183.12 μA mM−1 cm−2, the sensor has a small detection limit of (S/N=3) of 0.017 μM.Table1 compares the results of the current DA sensor to those of other DA sensors that have been reported. CuO/PVA/GC electrode, among the many modified electrodes, offers greater sensitivity, an extensive linear range, a lower detection limit, and speedy detection of DA, making it a promising choice for the dopamine sensor.Table 1
Assessment of sensing action of the CuO/PVA/GC electrode with other fabricated electrodes.
S. noElectrodesLOD(μM)Reference1Au/Pt/GCE24[25]2Pd3Pt1/RGO/GCE0.04[26]3Ag NPs/P (Arg)-GO/GCE0.01[27]4Ni- ZIF-8/N S–CNTs/GCE0.93[28]5Pd NPs/GR/CS/GCE0.1[29]6PdAg NFs/rGO/GCE0.048[30]7Ni-meso-PANI/GCE9.6[31]8Ni/C/GCE0.05[32]9GP-MWCNTs-Au NCs/GCE0.77[33]10CuO/PVA/GCE0.017This work


## 3.5.3. Interference Analysis

To examine the selectivity of the sensor towards dopamine, an interference study was analyzed. The interference species such as 100μM of fructose, 100 μM of sucrose, 100 μM of lactose, 100 μM of glucose, 100 μM ureic acid (UA), 100 μM of ascorbic acid (AA), 100 μM of urea, and 100 μM of hydrogen peroxide as well as the common ionic species such as potassium chloride in biological media were added to the electrolyte solution during the amperometric analysis of DA. As shown in Figure 8, none of these species disclose any important manipulate on the DA oxidation current even at high concentration (100 μM) indicates the stupendous selectivity of the CuO/PVA/GC electrode towards DA detection.Figure 8
Amperometric detection of interfering species of the sensor in 0.1 M PBS with 100μM of fructose, 100 μM of glucose, 100 μM of lactose, 100 μM of sucrose, 100 μM ureic acid (UA), 100 μM of ascorbic acid (AA), 100 μM of urea, and 100 μM of hydrogen peroxide as well as the common ionic species potassium chloride.


## 3.5.4. Stability and Reproducibility

The electrochemical sensor performance is primarily evaluated by the steadiness and reproducibility of the produced sensor. For 0.5μM of DA in 0.1 M of PBS (pH=7), the CVs of the CuO/PVA/GCE-modified electrode were recorded. For 20 repeated trials, the oxidation peak potential of DA stayed constant with a relative standard deviation of 1.3 percent and 1.1 percent, respectively. To test the modified electrodes’ repeatability, 10 CuO/PVA/GCE sensors were fabricated identically for the monitoring of DA, and their electrocatalytic current signal was established with RSD of 5.09 percent. These findings show that the suggested modified electrode can function as a stable biosensor for DA with elevated sensitivity and selectivity.


## 3.6. Real Sample Analysis

The urine samples from the male patient were accumulated at the Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital, Tirunelveli. Primarily, the urine sample was diluted 10 times before using a medium for dopamine analysis. The DA was calculated by the SA method. The analytical outcomes are displayed in Table2. All samples show a retrieval of more than 100%, which may be due to the inherent dopamine present in biological samples or complex matrix effects of the medium. However, the recovery was noticed to be very close to 100%; this discloses the appropriateness and selectivity of CuO/PVA/GCE sensors for the discovery of DA in biological samples.Table 2
Determination of DA in human urine samples using the CuO/PVA/GCE sensor (practical application of the proposed methodn=3).
Urine sampleAdded (μM)Found (μM)RSD (%)Recovery (%)A54.132.6998.50B54.542.4598.89C54.132.3998.79D54.491.9499.43E54.672.2399.63


## 4. Conclusion

We were able to successfully produce copper oxide using a simple chemical precipitation process and a surface modification of PVA (wt%). By using a simple chemical precipitation procedure, the p-XRD analysis verified that the sample generated with and without PVA had a monoclinic arrangement. The production of nanoballs/nanorods can be seen in morphological studies of the produced nanocomposite. The presence of copper and oxygen was validated by EDX. CuO/PVA/GCE has been created as a biosensing material. The performance of PVA, which serves as a medium for electron transport among the modified electrode and dopamine, increases the electrocatalytic activity of CuO. For dopamine determination, the suggested and produced structural compound CuO/PVA/GCE demonstrated great electrochemical stability, excellent selectivity, increased sensitivity (183.12μA mM−1 cm-2), and a lower detection limit of 0.017 μM (S/N=3). This information is applicable to the examination of human real-life samples as well.



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*Source: 8755464-2022-02-22.xml*