Evaluation of Fe-MOF/graphene nanocomposites for non-enzymatic electrochemical sensing of acetaminophen

Abstract

Distribution and accumulation of pharmaceuticals in the environment are of growing concern due to their persistence and potential adverse effects on human health and aquatic ecosystems. In this study, we present a straightforward synthesis strategy to fabricate an electrocatalytic nanocomposite with the iron–metal–organic framework supported on graphene sheets (Fe-MOF/GR) for non-enzymatic electrochemical detection of acetaminophen (APAP). The material characteristics of the Fe-MOF/GR nanocomposite were comprehensively analyzed using various microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. The Fe-MOF/GR-modified electrode demonstrates a 3.97-fold increase in the peak oxidation current compared to the bare electrode for APAP detection. The excellent electrocatalytic activity of the Fe-MOF/GR-based electrochemical sensor toward APAP detection can be attributed to the synergistic effects of numerous exposed electro-active sites, high electrocatalytic activity, and exceptional conductivity. Under optimal synthesis conditions, the proposed electrochemical sensor exhibits a low detection limit of 10 nM, a high sensitivity of 6.7 µM⁻¹ cm⁻², and a broad linear range of 0.05 to 105.6 µM. Besides, it showcases high selectivity (<7%), satisfactory repeatability (1.6%), and robust reproducibility (2.02%). Its practical feasibility is demonstrated through its successful application in quantifying APAP in real biological and environmental water samples, yielding satisfactory recovery values. The findings of this study suggest that the proposed electrochemical sensor is a promising candidate for practical applications in APAP detection.