High-sensitive electrochemical sensor based on Ni/NiC_X-integrated functional carbon nanotubes for simultaneous determination of acetaminophen and dopamine

Gaifang Lv ^{a, b, 1}, Mengdie Yang ^{a, 1}, Yanan Pan ^a, Yang Fan ^{a, *}, Jiabao Zuo ^a, Xiaoying Liu ^a, Junjie Chen ^a, Shupeng Zhang ^a,*

Abstract

In complex environmental substance monitoring, the simultaneous detection of single and multiple substances with high sensitivity has been a research focus in the field of electrochemical sensors. Rational selection of appropriate dopants to optimize the electrode material is crucial in this regard. In this work, we employed a multi-doping strategy to effectively enhance the electrocatalytic performance of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). By doping Ni/NiC_X onto MWCNTs, we successfully constructed a heterojunction material (Ni/NiC_X-N-MWCNTs). The successful doping of Ni/NiC_X allows for the synergistic effects of multiple elements. Ni/NiC_X serves as a conductive bridge, forming a three-dimensional network of nanotubes, which effectively reduces the aggregation of carbon nanotubes, exposes more active sites, and enhances electrocatalytic activity. The electrochemical sensor based on Ni/NiC_X-N-MWCNTs demonstrated high sensitivity, selectivity, and simultaneous electrochemical detection for acetaminophen (1-150 μM, limit of detection (LOD)=0.56 μM) and dopamine (1-80.0 μM, LOD=0.19 μM). Its excellent reproducibility (relative standard deviation (RSD)=2.01%) and interference resistance provide Ni/NiC_X-N-MWCNTs with significant advantages over other electrode materials, indicating a promising application potential.

Multi-element doped carbon materials have gained extensive research attention in the field of electrochemical sensing due to their excellent electrochemical properties. This work presents a simple method for preparing Ni/NiC_X-N-MWCNTs composites. Through material characterization, performance testing and mechanistic studies, we have confirmed the successful fabrication of Ni/NiC_X and N co-doped MWCNTs nanostructures. Utilizing the unique three-dimensional framework of MWCNTs and the synergistic effect of multi-element doping, the electrochemical sensor constructed from Ni/NiC_X-N-MWCNT exhibits high sensitivity for the simultaneous detection of APAP (1-150.0 μM, LOD = 0.56 μM) and DA (1-80.0 μM, LOD = 0.19 μM). In comparison with other multi-element doped carbon materials, it can be clearly observed that the detection of APAP and DA has a lower detection limit, and it can be foreseen that the Ni/NiC_X-N-MWCNTs materials developed by utilizing this Ni and N doping will open up new horizons for the development of electrochemical sensor devices. Meanwhile, selecting suitable carbon materials and sources for multi-element doping remains a key research objective, necessitating further in-depth studies on multi-element doped carbon materials to achieve greater advancements in the field of electrochemical sensing.

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