Simultaneous determination of uric acid and dopamine using a carbon fiber electrode modified by layer-by-layer assembly of graphene and gold nanoparticles

A novel layer-by-layer assembly of graphene sheets and gold nanoparticles modified carbon fiber electrode (GE/Au/GE/CFE) was successfully fabricated and applied to simultaneous determination of dopamine (DA) and uric acid (UA). The structure of GE/Au/GE/CFE was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was observed that the gold nanoparticles were homogeneously assembled between the two layers of GE sheets. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements elucidate that GE/Au/GE/CFE has higher electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of DA and UA when compared with graphene modified carbon fiber electrode (GE/CFE), and graphene and gold nanoparticles modified carbon fiber electrode (Au/GE/CFE). Simultaneous determination of UA and DA on GE/Au/GE/CFE was conducted with a differential pulse voltammetry technique, and two well-defined and fully resolved anodic oxidation peaks were observed. Anodic oxidation currents of DA and UA are linear with their concentration in the range of 0.59–43.96?μM and 12.6–413.62?μM, respectively. Moreover, the composite electrode displays high reproducibility and selectivity for the determination of UA and DA.