Different morphological gold nanoparticle-modified carbon fiber microelectrodes for enhanced neurochemical detection

Carbon fiber microelectrodes (CFMEs) have a vast range of applications in neurotransmitter detection. However, CFMEs have low conductivity and surface area, and the bare carbon fiber microelectrode will cause electrode fouling during neurotransmitter detection, thereby reducing the detection sensitivity. Due to the limitations of the CFMEs, in this experiment, various morphological gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) such as cubic, octahedral, and rhombic dodecahedral (RD) were modified on CFMEs. Shape-specific AuNPs modified CFMEs have a larger electroactive surface area and higher detection sensitivity than bare CFMEs. When using fast scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) to detect neurotransmitters such as dopamine, shape specific AuNPs can continuously detect dopamine at a lower detection limit than bare CFMEs and have higher sensitivity. This research is of great significance for enhancing neurotransmitters' detection (such as dopamine) in vivo and in vitro by carbon fiber electrodes. It is also essential for the research of drug abuse, depression, and neurodegenerative diseases.