Preparation, characterization and electrochemical application of an Ag/zeolite nanocomposite: application to sub-micromolar quantitation of tryptophan

Abstract

A silver zeolite (AgY) nanocomposite was prepared and applied for construction of a modified carbon paste electrode (AgY/CPE) for sensing tryptophan (Trp) in real samples by using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). AgY nanocomposite was prepared with a simple method from nano-structured sodium zeolite (NaY) and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). Particle size of the prepared AgY was in the range between 17.8 and 44.7 nm. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and fluorescence spectra AgY and AgY/Trp nanocomposites reveals interaction between AgY and Trp. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was used for evaluating the electrode behaviour. Effect of potential scan rate on the electrode response was also studied. The proposed electrode revealed a suitable current response at scan rate of 0.1 V.s−1. A descriptive mechanism was proposed for explaining the electrode response toward Trp based on the CV experiments. Effect of pH on the response of the electrode was also studied. The modified carbon paste electrode revealed a good response to Trp at pH of 6.9 in a phosphate buffer solution (PBS), in the range of Trp concentration between 10 nM and 1.2 µM. The detection limit of the electrode was 6.3 nM and it was successfully applied for the determination of Trp in milk and samples. The accuracy and precision of the results were evaluated with statistical methods.