Simultaneous determination of acetaminophen, theophylline and caffeine using a glassy carbon disk electrode modified with a composite consisting of poly(Alizarin Violet 3B), multiwalled carbon nanotubes and graphene

Abstract

The authors describe a glassy carbon disk electrode which after modification with poly(Alizarin Violet 3B), multiwalled carbon nanotubes and graphene enables simultaneous determination of the drugs acetaminophen (AP), theophylline (TP) and caffeine (CF). The electrochemical response to AP, TP and CF at the modified electrode was studied by cyclic voltammetry, and the results revealed an excellent electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of the three analytes at potentials of typically 0.5, 1.15 and 1.4 V (vs. SCE) respectively. The anodic peaks are well defined and occur at lower oxidation potential and enhanced oxidation peak currents (compared to an unmodified electrode). Simultaneous differential pulse voltammetric measurements resulted in calibration plot for AP, TP and CF were obtained that cover range from 0.2 to 100 μM for AP, from 0.5 to 120 μM for TP, and from 1.0 to 120 μM for CF. The respective detection limits are 0.01, 0.02 and 0.10 μM. The method was applied to simultaneous determination of AP, TP and CF in spiked human serum and gave satisfactory results.