Electrochemical detection of norepinephrine based on Ag/Fe decorated single walled carbon nanotubes

Abstract

Herein, we present, for the first time, a sensitive norepinephrine (NE) sensor using the silver and iron nanoparticles decorated single walled carbon nanotubes modified glassy carbon electrode (Ag-Fe/SWCNTs/GCE) for electrochemical detection of trace NE. The Ag-Fe/SWCNTs were prepared using DC arc discharge evaporation and characterized by transmission electron microscope, scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction. The oxidation peak current of NE at Ag-Fe/SWCNTs modified GCE was greatly increased than that of SWCNTs modified GCE and unmodified GCE. The designed sensor successfully detected NE with good reproducibility and stability, indicating its promising practical applicability. Impressively, the detection limit of NE on Ag-Fe/SWCNTs/GCE is 5 μM. Owing to the Ag-Fe/SWCNTs specific catalysis of the NE oxidation, NE can be detected selectively in the presence of high concentrations of ascorbic acid (AA). Consequently, this strategy offers a potential, convenient, low-cost, and sensitive sensor for NE diagnosis.