Electrochemical sensor for acetaminophen based on a glassy carbon electrode modified with ZnO/Au nanoparticles on functionalized multi-walled carbon nano-tubes

摘要

Recent years have witnessed unprecedented growth of research and applications in the monitor of acetaminophen (AP) in biological specimen and pharmaceuticals, as a salient area in public healthcare and medical services. The present study aimed at preparing a modified Glassy Carbon Electrode (GCE) with a facile, novel composite of Multi-Walled Carbon Nano-Tube (MWCNT)/ZnO/Au nanoparticles through electrochemical synthesis for AP determination. The nanocomposite was characterized by Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM). The results showed that Au nanoparticles were well anchored onto ZnO nanospheres embedded over MWCNTs. The modified electrode led to a nearly 47-fold increase in current response towards AP current compared to a bare electrode. Under optimum conditions, the electrode provided a linear response based on the AP concentrations between 0.05-20 mu M with a detection limit of 9 nM by using the Square-Wave Voltammetric (SWV) method. Also, it exhibited a good sensitivity and selectivity for the AP determination of in pharmaceutical samples.