Bimetallic nickel iron zeolitic imidazolate fibers as biosensing platform for neurotransmitter serotonin

Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) are widely used in recent times for catalysis and in biomolecules detection. Many neurotransmitters are associated with human body, and among them, serotonin (5-HT) (SER) plays a dynamic role in biological functions. Any alteration in its level leads to severe problems including death, so the monitoring SER is very much concerned. In this direction herein, we successfully synthesized nickel–iron-based ZIF (NiFe-ZIF) microfibers for demonstrating the sensing of neurotransmitter serotonin (SER). Further, the electrochemical behavior investigated by electrochemical studies ensures its high conductivity and sensing ability towards SER. Moreover, the SWV studies also exhibit wide linear range of 40 nM–30 µM with detection limit 3 nM confirming excellent platform role for biomedical applications. Moreover, the real-time application of the proposed sample was also investigated by serum with the exhibition of exceptional outcome of the proposed biosensor. Graphical abstract: Bi-metallic NiFe based ZIF MFs have been synthesized and successfully utilized for the first time as a biosensor for an effective detection of the neurotransmitter and hormone SER with very low detection limit. The designed sensor is also applicable for the real time analysis and can be further applicable for other device fabrications such as point of care devices like glucose sensors. [Figure not available: see fulltext.]