Electroless deposition of gold nanoparticles on carbon nanopipette electrode for electrochemical detection of catecholamines released from PC12 cells.

An electroless deposition method is reported for the fabrication of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) modified carbon nanopipette electrode (CNPE) for sensitive electrochemical detection of dopamine (DA) in aqueous solution and catecholamines released from PC12 cells. A CNPE is fabricated by chemical vapor deposition with a carbon layer onto nanocapillary and then contacted with copper (Cu) wire. Cu wire of CNPE is able to serve as reducing agent for electroless deposition of Au NPs on the CNPE because the potential of Cu2+/Cu is more negative than that of AuCl4-/Au. The method is simple, time-saving, and environmentally friendly. Field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, and electrochemical techniques confirm the successful fabrication of the Au NPs/CNPE. Furthermore, Au NPs/CNPE exhibits a good sensing activity for DA oxidation with a wide linear determination range of 0.1-8 μmol/L and a low detection limit of 6 nmol/L. The Au NPs/CNPE can be potentially applied for measurement of catecholamines released from PC12 cells. This present work is believed to be beneficial to the design and development of active metal catalysts onto nanoelectrodes for the detection of electroactive biological molecules in living cells.Graphical abstract An electroless deposition method was developed for the fabrication of gold nanoparticles onto the carbon nanopipette electrode, which was served as an enhanced electrochemical sensing platform for highly sensitive detection of dopamine with a linear range of 0.1-8 μmol/L and a detection limit of 6 nmol/L, and was also applied in the detection of catecholamines released from PC12 cells.