Multi mimetic Graphene Palladium nanocomposite based colorimetric paper sensor for the detection of neurotransmitters

Palladium in the form of G-Pd nanocomposite possesses multiple enzyme mimicking activity. It catalyzes the oxidation of dopamine, glutamate, H₂O₂ and NADH through dopamine oxidase, glutamate oxidase, peroxidase and NADH oxidoreductase biomimetic activity. Kinetic studies were performed to calculate the catalytic parameters of G-Pd nanocomposite towards the substrates for a potential heterogeneous catalyst. Among them, glutamate oxidase activity was coupled with peroxidase activity of G-Pd for the detection of glutamate, in the form of a paper based sensor. Analytical performance of G-Pd nanocomposite catalyzed glutamate detection was characterized, and found to be linear in the range 0–400 μM and 400–8000 μM with limit of detection and quantification of 49.4 μM and 117.9 μM respectively. Results from the present study provides substantial progress in the practical application of nanomaterials as heterogeneous catalysts with multi enzyme mimicking property. G-Pd nanocomposite overcomes the complexity of enzyme based biosensors due to less number of reagents, better stability due to the absence of enzymes with mild storage conditions. Multi-mimetic catalytic activity of Pd will find applications in the field of analytical chemistry, biosensors, energy, environment and food safety.