Facile synthesis of exfoliated graphite-supported cobalt ferrite (Co1.2Fe1.8O4) nanocomposite for the electrochemical detection of diclofenac

Abstract

Diclofenac (DCF) is used to reduce inflammation substance, which causes pain and inflammation, in the human body. However, the overconsumption of DCF may cause life-threatening problems in humans. Therefore, it is necessary to detect DCF levels in human urine samples because it is excreted in the urine after taking DCF. We developed a facile synthetic route for obtaining an exfoliated graphite (Gr)-supported cobalt ferrite (EGr-Co1.2Fe1.8O4) nanocomposite using an ultrasonication method that does not involve calcination. The prepared EGr-Co1.2Fe1.8O4 nanocomposite was examined by various physicochemical characterization methods. The nanocomposites were successfully agglomerated on the exfoliated Gr surface under the optimized experimental conditions. An EGr-Co1.2Fe1.8O4 nanocomposite was employed to fabricate electrochemical sensors for the sensitive electrochemical detection of DCF in human urine samples. The EGr-Co1.2Fe1.8O4 modified screen-printed carbon electrode sensor shows excellent electrochemical activity toward DCF with excellent sensitivity (1.059 µA µM−1 cm−2) within an acceptable linear concentration range (0.01–23.1 µM) and a very low limit of detection (1 nM).