Optimization of ZrO2-based electrode materials for simultaneous electrochemical sensing of dopamine, uric acid and tyrosine

In this study, we report the preparation and application of ZrO 2 composites as electrode materials . The as-prepared ZrO 2 composites with Ag and s-GO as secondary components, were characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Zeta potential measurement, and ultraviolet-visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy. Then, the binary Ag NPs/ZrO 2 and s-GO/ZrO 2 composites were subsequently used as modifiers for developing novel screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCE), which were tested for their electrochemical capabilities in detecting key biomolecules, including Dopamine (DA), Uric Acid (UA), and Tyrosine (Tyr). The GO-ZrO 2 /SPCE sensor demonstrated superior performance in terms of sensitivity and selectivity , surpassing other formulations. The sensor exhibited linear detection ranges of 4 – 90 µM for Tyr, 2 – 100 µM for UA, and 1.5 – 100 µM for DA, with respective limits of detection (LOD) at 5.77, 4.99, and 2.89 µM. In addition, the sensor allowed for sufficient peak potential differentiation, enabling the simultaneous detection of these biomolecules. • ZrO 2 hybrid composites were synthesized to develop novel sensors. • The innovative GO-ZrO 2 /SPCE sensor provides simultaneous detection of Tyr, UA and DA. • LOD are 5.77, 4.99, and 2.89 µM for Tyr, UA and DA. • Tyr, DA and UA sensing mechanism involves phenolic/ketone and N-H groups oxidation.