Ultra-Sensitive Dopamine Sensor Using Stable Black Phosphorus Quantum Dots

: The use of various optical methods for detection of dopamine (DA), such as colorimetry, fluorometry, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), and electrochemiluminescence (ECL), has progressively matured over the past decade. However, the development of a simple, inexpensive, and quick detection method for dopamine still remains a challenge. Herein, we used stable black phosphorus quantum dots (BPQDs) for sensitive and selective detection of dopamine by UV-Vis spectroscopy. The initial UV-Vis absorption peaks of the BPQDs in aqueous solution were effectively quenched upon the addition of DA. The quenching efficiency was proportional to the concentration of DA within the range of 1 nM to 70 nM or 1 nM to 1250 nM (encompassing physiological DA concentrations) with a low detection limit of 0.33 nM (pH 5˜9). This optical analysis method provides a platform for the detection of dopamine, which has many advantages such as high sensitivity, selectivity, stability, low cost, non-toxicity, and so on.