A Biosensor for Simultaneous Detection of Epinephrine and Ascorbic Acid Based on Fe(III)–Polyhistidine-Functionalized Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotube Composites

Abstract

Epinephrine (EP) is a very important chemical transmitter in the transmission of nerve impulses in the central nervous system of mammals. Ascorbic acid (AA) is considered to be the most important extracellular fluid antioxidant and has important antioxidant properties in the cell. In this study, a series of transition metal–polyhistidine-carboxylated multi-wall carbon nanotube nanocomposites were synthesized, and their simultaneous catalytic effects on epinephrine and ascorbic acid were investigated. The results showed that nanocomposites based on iron ions had the highest catalytic activity. The prepared biosensor expressed high selectivity toward EP and AA with LOD values of 0.1 μΜ (AA) and 0.01 μΜ (EP), and sensitivity values of 4.18 μA mM−1 with a range of 0.001–5 mM (AA), 50.98 μA mM−1 with a range of 0.2–100 μM (EP), and 265.75 μA mM−1 with a range of 0.1–1.0 mM (EP). Moreover, it showed good stability, good repeatability and high selectivity in real sample detection. This work is a reference for the design of new electrochemical enzyme-free biosensors and the detection of biomarkers.