Sensitive Determination of Terbutaline Using a Platform Based on Nanoparticles of Europium Oxide and Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract

This study presents a sensitive voltammetric determination of terbutaline (TER) on a platform based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and europium oxide nanoparticles (Eu2O3NPs) coated glassy carbon electrodes (GCEs). An ultrasonic bath was performed for the preparation of composite material. The material was characterized by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction method (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The Eu2O3NPs/CNTs/GCE system was assessed for the oxidation of terbutaline (TER). A broad oxidation peak was appeared at 0.71 V using a bare GCE. However, the voltammetry of TER has been improved at a GCE coated with CNTs and a well-defined anodic peak exhibited at 0.61 V. Furthermore, the nanoparticles of Eu2O3 and CNTs coated GCE has greatly improved the electrochemical behaviour of TER and a sharp peak was appeared at 0.59 V. Cyclic voltammetry at Eu2O3NPs/CNTs/GCE also reveals a high catalytic effect for the oxidation of TER with an oxidation peak that is distinctly enhanced compared to GCE and CNTs/GCE. Eu2O3 nanoparticles were utilized to enhance the surface area of GCE and then improve the sensitivity of the procedure. The response of TER was linear over a concentration range of 2.0×10−8 M −9.5×10−6 M with an LOD of 3.7×10−9 M. Square wave voltammetric analysis of tablets by Eu2O3NPs/CNTs/GCE yielded a recovery of 99.2 % with an RSD% of 3.2. The modified electrode (EuO2NPs/CNTs/GCE) provides accuracy and precision to the analysis of samples.