ZnO Nanoparticle-Enhanced Electrochemical Sensor Utilizing Moringa Oleifera Leaf Extract for Real-Time Dopamine Detection

Using an extract from the leaves of the Moringa Oleifera tree as a sustainable reducing and stabilizing agent, this research details a unique method for synthesizing zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles. With the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles, a sensitive electrochemical sensor for detecting dopamine was developed. By exploiting the bioactive components found in Moringa Oleifera leaf extract, green production of ZnO nanoparticles was achieved, providing a chemical-free alternative. The nanoparticles’ structural and morphological features were deduced with the aid of analytical methods like X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Ultra Violet Visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force spectroscopy (AFM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The electrochemical sensor was built by incorporating the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles onto a Glassy Carbon Electrode. The sensor is sensitive and selective to dopamine, a neurotransmitter involved in many physiological and neurological functions. We employed electrochemical methods like cyclic voltammetry, square wave voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to analyze dopamine molecules' interactions with the ZnO nanoparticle-modified electrode. We found that neurotransmitter binding affects the sensor's electrical response. The vast linear detection range and low dopamine detection limit make the electrochemical sensor helpful for basic neuroscience research and clinical diagnosis. ZnO nanoparticles synthesized ecologically showed promise as efficient sensing materials and the practicality of such approaches. As a whole, this research demonstrates the complementary relationship between green chemistry, nanotechnology, and electrochemical sensing, with potential for use in the creation of environmentally friendly sensors and the enhancement of dopamine detection.