Electrochemical sensor for sensitive detection of luteolin based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)–gold nanocomposites

Abstract

In this work, an electrochemical sensor was fabricated for the sensitive detection of luteolin. It is based on the use of nanomaterials composed of multi-walled carbon nanotubes, poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene, and gold nanoparticles (MWCNTs/PEDT–Au). A facile and effective one-pot method was employed to synthesize the MWCNTs/PEDT–Au nanocomposites. The microstructure and composition of the as-synthesized nanocomposites were confirmed by SEM, TEM, and ICP-OES characterizations. The electrochemical performance of luteolin at MWCNTs/PEDT–Au/GCE was investigated by EIS, CV, and SWV. The results indicated that MWCNTs/PEDT–Au nanocomposites exhibited excellent catalytic activity towards the electrochemical redox process of luteolin. At the optimal experimental conditions, the MWCNTs/PEDT–Au/GCE presented a high sensitivity of 0.00022 μmol dm⁻³ (S/N = 3, n = 3) and a linear range of 0.1–15 μmol dm⁻³ and 0.001–0.1 μmol dm⁻³ towards luteolin with good selectivity and stability.