Electrochemical detection of bupropion drug using nanocomposite of molecularly imprinted polyaniline/Au nanoparticles/graphene oxide

Abstract

Here, we developed an impedimetric nanosensor by modifying the screen-printed carbon electrode using a nanocomposite of molecularly imprinted polyaniline/gold nanoparticles/graphene oxide to facilitate the charge transfer process and increase the specific surface area of the sensor. The electropolymerization and MIP fabrication process, as well as the optimization of the electrode modification were optimized using a set of experiments. The surface morphology of the modified electrode was characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The analytical assessments of the bupropion hydrochloride (BUP) electrochemical nanosensor showed a linear range from 2.0 to 990.0 nM with the limit of detection of 0.5 nM. The results of selectivity tests of the nanosensor showed a high specificity towards BUP compared to other similar molecules. Furthermore, the developed sensor was successfully applied to detect BUP in tablets and urine samples with a good recovery percentage.