Development of a new highly sensitive serotonin sensor based on green synthesized silver nanoparticle decorated reduced graphene oxide

Abstract

Electrochemical detection of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is proposed for the first time using a cost-effective and eco-friendly nanocomposite of AgNPs and rGO which is synthesized through an in situ green reduction process using rosemary leaf extract. The synthesized nanocomposite and the elaborate thin layers have been characterized using UV-Vis, FTIR, TEM, and EIS. The sensitivity of the developed sensor was evaluated by differential pulse voltammetry. The peak current measured at a voltage of 420 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl) increased linearly in the 0.1 nM to 100 µM concentration range. A very low limit of detection of 78 pM compared to those in recent studies reported in the literature was obtained. The innovative approach was successfully applied to the determination of serotonin in spiked artificial urine samples.