Screen-Printed Electrodes Modified with Fe3O4-Activated Carbon Derived from Spent Coffee Grounds for Dopamine Detection in the Presence of Ascorbic Acid and Uric Acid
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48048/tis.2026.11907Keywords:
Dopamine, Activated carbon, Spent coffee ground, Screen-printed electrode, Magnetic carbon, Square wave voltammetry, Electrochemical analysis, NafionAbstract
Dopamine, a critical neurotransmitter involved in regulating nervous and immune system responses, is essential for maintaining overall health. Abnormal dopamine levels are linked to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Accurate measurement of dopamine, particularly in blood where other interfering substances like uric acid and ascorbic acid are present, is crucial. This study focuses on developing a selective and sensitive electrochemical method for dopamine detection using Fe3O4-activated carbon electrodes derived from pyrolyzed spent coffee grounds. The prepared electrodes exhibit enhanced stability and electrocatalytic properties due to the synergistic effects of high surface area, oxygen-containing species, and the catalytic properties of Fe3O4. Detailed characterization of the Fe3O4-activated carbon composite was conducted using XRD, SEM, FTIR, and cyclic voltammetry, confirming the successful incorporation of Fe3O4 and the presence of functional groups essential for redox reactions. The modified electrodes demonstrated significant improvements in dopamine detection, achieving a detection limit of 0.92 µM with a linear range of 1 - 1,325 µM, and effectively minimizing interference from ascorbic acid and uric acid. The practicality of the developed method was validated through successful dopamine detection in a human serum sample, highlighting its potential for real-world applications in clinical diagnostics.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The study presents a sustainable method for creating a sensitive and selective electrode for dopamine detection by using Fe3O4-activated carbon derived from spent coffee grounds. The use of coffee grounds adds value to a waste material and supports sustainable practices.
- The composite of magnetic activated carbon derived from coffee grounds was characterized using FE-SEM, FTIR, XRD, and electrochemical techniques.
- The electrode demonstrated excellent performance in dopamine detection. It achieved a low detection limit of 0.92 µM and a wide linear detection range of 1 - 1,325 µM. These values are comparable to those of other modified electrodes.
- Electrochemical characterization of the Nafion coating on the electrode revealed that it slightly slowed the diffusion of the detecting species but did not significantly hinder the electrode response. The use of Nafion also helped to reduce interference from ascorbic acid and uric acid.
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