A sensitive electrochemical platform for paracetamol monitoring in real matrices via a supramolecular calix[6]arene-CuO hybrid nanocomposite

Abstract

Paracetamol is a widely used analgesic and antipyretic, and it is commonly employed to alleviate the symptoms of cold and flu. It is effective in reducing pain and fever and is readily available as an over-the-counter medication. This study aims to develop a highly sensitive electrochemical sensor for the detection of paracetamol by modifying a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) surface with para-hexa sulphonate calix[6]arene (p-HSC6)-functionalized copper oxide nanoparticles (p-HSC6–CuO/GCE). The successful synthesis of the p-HSC6–CuO nanocomposite was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) techniques. Furthermore, p-HSC6–CuO was evaluated through electrochemical techniques such as cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Meanwhile, the detection of paracetamol was performed by using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The developed p-HSC6–CuO/GCE sensor showed a linear concentration range from 0.5 to 105 µM and achieved a low detection limit of 0.0294 µM. The excellent selectivity, repeatability, and stability of the developed sensor can be attributed to its enhanced electrochemical performance, which arises from the effective surface modification achieved through the incorporation of the p-HSC6–CuO nanostructure supramolecular framework. Also, the proposed nanostructured materials can detect paracetamol in complicated real samples with good % recovery values in the presence of various interfering species.