Electrochemical investigation of acetaminophen with a carbon nano-tube composite film electrode

Abstract

Electrochemical behaviors of acetaminophen at a muti-wall carbon nano-tube composite film modified glassy carbon electrode were investigated by cyclic voltammetry, linear sweep voltammetry and chronocoulometry. Compared with that obtained at the unmodified electrode, the peak currents were enhanced significantly, and the oxidation peak shifted towards more negative potential with the reduction peak shifted positively. The peak-to-peak separation turned narrow, and suggested that the reversibility was improved greatly. Experimental parameters, such as scan rate, pH and accumulation conditions were optimized. It was found that a maximum current response can be obtained at pH = 5.0 after accumulation at -0.50 V for 80 s. The oxidation peak current was found to be linearly related to acetaminophen concentration over the range of 5.0 × 10-7 ∼ 1.0 × 10-4 mol L-1 with a detection limit of 5.0 × 10-8 mol L-1. A convenient and sensitive electrochemical method was developed for the determination of acetaminophen in a commercial paracetamol oral solution. Its practical application demonstrated that it has good selectivity and high sensitivity.