Pencil graphite electrode (PGE) is an alternative, commercially available, ready-to-use, screen-printed electrode for a wide range of electroanalytical applications. Due to the complex-matrix composition and unpredictable electro-inactive nature of PGE in its native form, a surface pre-treatment/activation procedure is highly preferred for using it as an electroactive working electrode for electroanalytical applications. In this article, we review various surface pre-treatment and modification procedures adopted in the literature with respect to the sensitive and selective detection of dopamine as a model system. Specific generation of the carbon-oxygen functional group, along with partial surface exfoliation of PGE, has been referred to as a key step for the activation. Based on the Scopus® index, the literature collection was searched with the keywords \"pencil and dopamine\". The obtained data were segregated into three main headings as: (i) electrochemically pre-treated PGE; (ii) polymer-modified PGEs; and (iii) metal and metal nanocomposite-modified PGE. This critical review covers various surface activation procedures adopted for the activation for PGE suitable for dopamine electroanalytical application.

The presence of biological interferents in physiological media necessitates chemical modification of the working electrode to facilitate accurate electrochemical measurement of nitric oxide (NO). In this study, we evaluated a series of self-terminating electropolymerized films prepared from one of three isomers of phenylenediamine (PD), phenol, eugenol, or 5-amino-1-naphthol (5A1N) to improve the NO selectivity of a platinum working electrode. The electrodeposition procedure for each monomer was individually optimized using cyclic voltammetry (CV) or constant potential amperometry (CPA). Cyclic voltammetry deposition parameters favoring slower film formation generally yielded films with improved selectivity for NO over nitrite and l-ascorbate. Nitric oxide sensors were fabricated and compared using the optimized deposition procedure for each monomer. Sensors prepared using poly-phenol and poly-5A1N film-modified platinum working electrodes demonstrated the most ideal analytical performance, with the former demonstrating the best selectivity. In simulated wound fluid, platinum electrodes modified with poly-5A1N films proved superior with respect to the NO sensitivity and detection limit.