Au-Pt-Ni nanochains as dopamine catalysts: role of elements and their spatial distribution.

Multi-element materials can improve biosensing ability as each element can catalyze different steps in a reaction pathway. By combining Pt and Ni on self-assembled 1D gold nanochains and controlling their spatial distribution, a detailed understanding of each element's role in dopamine oxidation is developed. In addition, the developed synthesis process provides a simple way to fabricate multi-element composites for electrocatalytic applications based on electrical double-layer formation on the surface of charged nanoparticles.