Highly selective electrochemical detection of serotonin on polypyrrole and gold nanoparticles-based 3D architecture

•Nanoplatform based on Ppy and Au NPs for highly sensitive detection of serotonin•The sensitive platform was produced electrochemically in a simple, two-step procedure.•Synergistic effect of both modifiers towards serotonin detection.•The platform is highly selective for serotonin, even in the presence of interferents.

A new customized platform based on electrochemically generated polypyrrole nanoparticles decorated with gold nanoparticles was used for the highly selective and sensitive electrochemical detection of serotonin. The composite surface manifested improved properties attributed to both modifiers: an increased active surface area due to the polypyrrole nanostructure and a catalytic effect towards analyte detection from the noble metal. The material was applied to the detection of serotonin in serum samples, in the presence of interfering species. The analytical performance was 320 times better than that of the bare electrode, underlining the advantages of this tailored hybrid surface.

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