Glassy carbon electrode modified with gold nanoparticles for ractopamine and metaproterenol sensing

In this Letter, the gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were used as an enhanced material for selective detection of ractopamine and metaproterenol with electrochemical methods. The morphology and size of gold nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and absorption spectrum. Meanwhile, the electrical properties of modified glass carbon electrode (GCE) were studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The electrochemical behaviors of ractopamine and metaproterenol were well explained by PM3 calculated method and cyclic voltammetry. Importantly, the ractopamine and metaproterenol were effectively detected. The detection range has been broadened to (10−9–10−5 M) and the detection time has been shortened to a few minutes.