Simultaneous voltammetric determination of epinephrine and acetaminophen using a highly sensitive CoAl-OOH/reduced graphene oxide sensor in pharmaceutical samples and biological fluids

For this study, three novel types of sensors comprised of CoAl-layered double oxyhydroxide (CoAl-LDH), CoAl-LDH/reduced graphene oxide (rGO), and CoAl-OOH/rGO nanosheets were successfully fabricated on glassy carbon electrodes (GCEs) and employed for the electrochemical detection of epinephrine (EP) and acetaminophen (AC). Interestingly, we found that the CoAl-OOH/rGO/GCE was more suitable for the determination of EP and AC in contrast to the CoAl-LDH and CoAl-OOH/rGO sensors. Differential pulse voltammetry results revealed that the CoAl-OOH/rGO/GCE delivered excellent electrocatalytic activity. The sensitivities and detection limits for the simultaneous measurement of EP and AC were 12.2 mu A mu M-1 cm(-2), 0.023 mu M L-1, and 4.87 mu A mu M-1 cm(-2), 0.058 mu M L-1, respectively. Especially, the as-obtained CoAl-OOH/rGO/GCE was successfully utilized for the detection in pharmaceutical samples and biological fluids with satisfactory results. Owing to its outstanding electrocatalytic activity and superior sensitivity, the CoAl-OOH/rGO/GCE could be beneficial to construct a promising electrochemical sensor for the detection of EP and AC.

Automated summary

In this study, three novel sensors based on CoAl-layered double oxyhydroxide (LDH), CoAl-LDH/reduced graphene oxide (rGO), and CoAl-OOH/rGO nanosheets were fabricated and employed for the electrochemical detection of epinephrine (EP) and acetaminophen (AC). Among them, the CoAl-OOH/rGO/GCE showed superior electrocatalytic activity and sensitivity, allowing for successful detection in pharmaceutical samples and biological fluids. This sensor has promising potential for the simultaneous detection of EP and AC.