Polymer free Nanocomposite from Zeolite and Carbon Black as Glassy Carbon modifier platform for Simultaneous Electrochemical Quantification of Acetaminophen and Caffeine

Abstract

Abstract Nanocomposite nanozeolite/acetylene black carbon was prepared by combining a type A zeolite with acetylene carbon black (AcB) and used to modify glassy carbon electrode (GCE) without polymer. The zeolite was prepared by hydrothermal method using natural kaolin. The physicochemical characterization of the composite showed a well-integrated composite in which the cubic crystal of the zeolite A and the graphitic aggregate of the carbon black were maintained. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy study revealed that the composite film GCE (ZA-AcB/GCE) prepared by drop coating displayed a higher kinetic charge transfer compared to pristine zeolite modified GCE (ZA/GCE) and bare GCE. ZA-AcB/GCE, ZA/GCE and GCE were subsequently used to investigate the electrochemical behaviour of acetaminophen (AC) in acidic, neutral and alkaline pHs. The results demonstrate a good electrocatalytic property toward AC at composite film GCE in all these electrolytes compared to bare GCE and confirm the dependence of the electrochemical reaction mechanism of AC on the electrolyte’s pHs. Under optimal conditions, ZA-AcB/GCE exhibited higher sensitivity and selectivity toward both analytes taken individually or simultaneously within large concentration range: 0.5–89 µM for AC and 5–99 µM for CAF with the respective limit of detection of 0.38 and 0.82 µM. The developed sensors were applied successfully in the quantification of the both analytes in pharmaceutical tablets.