3D porous pompon-like -MnO₂/Rutile TiO₂ composite as a signal amplification strategy for the detection of dopamine

Composite materials are receiving growing interest due to their excellent electrochemical properties. Here, through a simple hydrothermal technique, a 3D porous pompon-like alpha-MnO2/rutile TiO2 (n(Ti)/n(Mn) = 0.075) composite with superior electrocatalytic activity is successfully endowed, in which the detection limit can be low as 3.5 nmol center dot L-1 (S/N = 3) for dopamine. It is found that the rutile phase of TiO2 can be gained under the mild experiment condition, in which the traditional high temperature calcinations process is no required. Further-more, the sensor constructed with this composite can be fully used for detecting trace amount of dopamine in biological sample such as urine and serum. It is envisaged that this composite will afford a new insight into the designing of the functional sensing materials.