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Development of an electrochemical nanoplatform based on ZnO nanoparticles and carbon black nanocomposite for the detection of tryptophan

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Abstract

Tryptophan, an essential amino acid playing a pivotal role in various biological processes, stands as a focal point in our investigation. In this study, we introduce a groundbreaking electrochemical sensor that integrates a nanocomposite comprising carbon black (CB) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) for the selective detection of L-tryptophan (Trp). The synthesis of ZnO-NPs, accomplished through the sol-gel technique, was meticulously characterized using XRD, FTIR, and UV-visible methods to unveil their structural and optical properties. The construction of the sensing electrode involved the deposition of a CB/ZnO-NP nanocomposite onto a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) utilizing the drop-coating method. Rigorous evaluation and analysis of the modified glassy carbon electrode were carried out through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The resulting CB/ZnO-NPs/GCE electrode exhibited an augmented surface area and outstanding electrocatalytic activity. Significantly, the CB/ZnO-NP sensor displayed remarkable analytical performance for tryptophan detection over an extensive concentration range from 0.01 to 100 µmol.L−1, featuring a low detection limit of 0.017 µmol.L−1. Moreover, the proposed electrochemical sensor exhibited notable selectivity, specifically targeting tryptophan, emphasizing its potential for diverse analytical applications. This work not only expands our understanding of tryptophan detection but also offers a highly sensitive and selective tool with broad applications in biomedical and environmental fields, underscoring the significance of this innovative sensor in advancing analytical methodologies.

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Funding

This research is backed by MESRS in Tunisia and MENFPESRS in Morocco, as part of the Tunisian-Moroccan collaborative RD project 20/PRD-17 (SMARTANTICANCER). Their support has been instrumental in funding Ms. BLEL’s internship in Morocco and in facilitating the Eranetmed NanoSWS project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CRMN, Centre for Research on Microelectronics and Nanotechnology of Sousse, NANOMISENE, LR16CRMN01, 4054, Sousse, Tunisia

    Asma Blel, Mosaab Echabaane & Chérif Dridi

  2. High School of Sciences and Technology of Hammam, University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia

    Asma Blel

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  1. Asma Blel
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  2. Mosaab Echabaane
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  3. Chérif Dridi
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Correspondence to Mosaab Echabaane or Chérif Dridi.

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Blel, A., Echabaane, M. & Dridi, C. Development of an electrochemical nanoplatform based on ZnO nanoparticles and carbon black nanocomposite for the detection of tryptophan. J Solid State Electrochem (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-024-05830-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-024-05830-9

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