Electrochemical Nicarbazin Analysis: Rapid Determination on Bucky Paper Disks Constructed from MWCNT

Abstract

Nicarbazin, an anticoccidial drug, is a molecular complex comprising 4,4’-dinitrocarbanilide (DNC) and 2-hydroxy-4,6-dimethylpyrimidine (HDP) in a 1:1 molar ratio. The low solubility of DNC in water (below 0.02 mg L−1) necessitates the use of extraction methods for analysis. Traditional DNC determination methods are time consuming, and involve prolonged sample preparation, extraction procedures, and high costs,. This study presents the results of electrochemical analysis of DNC using an innovative electrode platform composed of bucky paper disks made from a blend of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and polystyrene (MWCNT/PS/BP). The electroanalytical approach includes an initial adsorption stage of DNC on the electrode platform, followed by its subsequent reduction, capitalizing on the reducibility of the nitro groups within DNC. The analytical parameters of this method are favorable, featuring an average recovery value of 100.22 ± 7.87, a linear range of 2.011–15.112 mg·l−1, a sensitivity of 1.58 μA·mg−1 l−1, LOQ (limit of quantification) of 1.33 mg L−1, and LOD (limit of detection) of 0.40 mg·l−1.