Voltammetric determination of alkannin using an Au nanoparticles–poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride)-functionalized graphene nanocomposite film

An electrochemical sensor based on Au nanoparticles (AuNPs)–poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA)-functionalized graphene (AuNPs–PDDA-G) nanocomposite was fabricated for the sensitive detection of alkannin. The nanocomposite was characterized by X-ray diffraction, ultraviolet/visible spectra, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry were used to investigate the electrochemical behaviors of alkannin on the AuNPs–PDDA-G nanocomposite film-modified glassy carbon electrode. This electrochemical sensor displayed satisfactory analytical performance for alkannin detection over a range from 5.0 nmol L−1 to 3.0 μmol L−1 with a detection limit of 1.4 nmol L−1 (S/N = 3). Moreover, the sensor also exhibited good reproducibility and stability, and could be used for the detection of alkannin in real samples with satisfactory results.