Mo and Zn-Dual doped CuxO nanocrystals confined High-Conductive Cu arrays as novel sensitive sensor for neurotransmitter detection

[Display omitted] •A sensor of Mo,Zn dual-doped CuxO nanocrystals coated 1D Cu nanowire is designed.•Sensor had LOD of 0.32 µM and detection range of 0.5 µM − 3.9 mM for DA detection.•Sensor showed long-term stability of 5 weeks and excellent selectivity.•Sensor demonstrated accurate detection of DA in blood serum-spiked PBS samples. The development of sensitive and selective sensors using facile and low-cost methods for detecting neurotransmitter molecules is a critical factor in the health care system in regard to early diagnosis. In this research, an electrocatalyst derived from Mo,Zn dual-doped CuxO nanocrystals-based layer coating over one-dimensional copper nanowire arrays (Mo,Zn-CuxO/CuNWs) was successfully designed using a facile electrodeposition approach and used as an electrochemical sensor for non-enzymatic dopamine (DA) neurotransmitter detection. The synergistic effect caused by the dual-doping effect along with its excellent conductivity produced a large electroactive surface area and an improved hetero-charge transfer, thereby boosting DA sensing ability with a low limit detection of 0.32 µM, wide-range of detection (0.5 µM − 3.9 mM), long-term stability (5 weeks), and high selectivity in phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.4). Also, the sensor accurately determined DA in real blood serum-spiked solutions. The achieved results evidenced that the Mo,Zn-CuxO/CuNWs derived sensor is highly suitable for DA detection. Therefore, it also opens new windows for the development of low-cost, accurate, high-performance, and stable sensors for other neurotransmitter sensing for the purposes of better health care and early diagnosis.