Fabrication of electrochemical sensor for paracetamol based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes and chitosan–copper complex by self-assembly technique

Abstract

An electrochemical sensor for paracetamol based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes and chitosan–copper complex (MWCNTs/CTS–Cu) was fabricated by self-assembly technique. The MWCNTs/CTS–Cu modified GCE showed an excellent electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of paracetamol, and accelerated electron transfer between the electrode and paracetamol. Under optimal experimental conditions, the differential pulse peak current was linear with the concentration of paracetamol in the range of 0.1–200μmolL−1 with a detection limit of 0.024μmolL−1. The sensitivity was found to be 0.603A/molL−1. The proposed sensor also showed a high selectivity for paracetamol in the presence of ascorbic acid and dopamine. Moreover, the proposed electrode revealed good reproducibility and stability. The proposed method was successfully applied for the determination of paracetamol in tablet and human serum samples.