Ceramic Perovskite-Based Photoelectrochemical Platform for 2-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)ethylamine Detection with Enhanced Sensitivity

2-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-ethylamine, DPE, is a critical catecholamine that regulates vital physiological functions, and its dysregulation is associated with heart disease, hypertension, kidney failure, and neurological disorders, highlighting the need for reliable detection methods. Ceramic perovskites, characterized by their unique crystal structure, exhibit remarkable properties that make them highly suitable for technological applications. In this study, we explore the synergistic combination of two zirconium-based ceramic perovskitesbarium zirconate (BaZrO₃) and strontium zirconate (SrZrO₃)for the development of a photoelectrochemical platform designed to detect DPE. A fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) electrode was modified with materials based on BaZrO₃ and SrZrO₃ to create a highly efficient photoelectrochemical sensor. The combination of these materials significantly enhanced the sensor's performance compared to their individual use, facilitating faster electron transfer rates and improved sensitivity for DPE detection. A low-power LED lamp served as the light source, ensuring energy efficiency. The materials were synthesized by microwave-assisted combustion and thoroughly characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and chronoamperometry. Under optimized conditions, the sensor demonstrated two linear detection ranges for DPE: 0.01 to 100 μmol L^-1 and 100 to 500 μmol L^-1, with a detection limit of 0.009 μmol L^-1. The modified platform (SrZrO₃/BaZrO₃/FTO) exhibited exceptional precision, accuracy, and selectivity for DPE detection. Furthermore, the method was successfully applied to determine DPE concentrations in artificial plasma samples, achieving recovery rates between 98.32 and 102.13%. These results highlight the promising character of this photoelectrochemical platform for reliable and sensitive DPE detection in real-world applications.