Ti3C2Tx (MXene)/Pt nanoparticle electrode for the accurate detection of DA coexisting with AA and UA

Abstract

Dopamine (DA), uric acid (UA) and ascorbic acid (AA) are biomolecules widely distributed in the human body and play an important role in many physiological processes. An abnormal concentration of them is associated with various diseases. Thus, the accurate and fast detection of them has been one of the major demands in the healthcare industry. In this study, we demonstrate that Ti₃C₂T_x/PtNP modified glassy carbon electrodes (GCEs) show a good electrochemical performance in the detection of DA and UA. However, there is no response signal to AA for either the CV or DPV curve due to the electrostatic repulsion between the negatively charged electrode surface and the negatively charged AA. Ti₃C₂T_x(MXene)/Pt nanoparticles (PtNPs) are prepared by etching Ti₃AlC₂(MAX) with HF and reducing H₂PtCl₆ with a NaBH₄ aqueous solution. The morphology of Ti₃C₂T_x/PtNPs is multilayered accordion-like Ti₃C₂T_x decorated with PtNPs with a diameter of 10–20 nm. Furthermore, it is found that the electrochemical detection of DA will be enhanced by AA. The electrochemical detection rule of AA enhanced DA can be expressed as follows: I_(DA+AA) = 0.011216C_AA + 0.039950C_DA + 1.1175(I_(DA+AA) is the peak current of DA coexisting with AA. C_AA is the concentration of AA. C_DA is the concentration of DA). This can be used as a calibration to correct the concentration of DA when AA and DA coexist. Notably, AA promotes the stability of the electrode because it cleans the oxidation products from the electrode surface in time. In addition, the sensor exhibits good reproducibility and satisfactory recovery results in a real sample.