Design of a Co doped carbon Backbone with self-grown Au nanoparticles via a 'Triple Advantage' Strategy for sensitive dopamine detection.

In this study, a Co doped polyhedral carbon skeleton (Co CN) was prepared by nitrogen carbonization using ZIF-67 as a precursor. The Co CN features a rough surface with excellent electrical conductivity, and the Co atoms exhibit unique catalytic properties. Based on these characteristics, we used Co CN as a carrier to load Au nanoparticles (NPs) onto its surface through the linkage and reduction effects of polyoxometalates (POMs). The resulting Au/POM/Co CN three-component composite nanoparticles exhibited exceptional performance in dopamine detection, showing a reliable linear response within the concentration ranges of 0.4-58 μM and 58-298 μM, with a limit of detection (LOD) as low as 0.198 μM. Additionally, the sensor showed excellent stability, anti-interference properties, and high recovery in experimental tests. This approach provides a novel concept for bimetallic catalysis and expands possibilities for dopamine detection.