Multi-dimensional multi-level sensing nanostructure for high-performance detection to trace-level dopamine molecules

A novel multi-dimensional nanostructure constructed with three types of nano-building-block is used as electrochemical sensing material to detect trace dopamine which plays as neurotransmitter in body-fluids. For the multi-dimensional multi-level sensing nanostructure construction, nanosheet of graphene oxide (GO) is herein served as nano-substrate. By using hydrothermal method, ZnO nanowires are well-aligned grown on the GO nano-substrate. The nanoporous ZIF-8 (a subclass of metal-organic frameworks) is subsequently grown on the surface of ZnO via a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process. The electrochemical sensing measurements indicate that the detection limit of the sensor to dopamine reaches sub-nM level.