Unlocking the dual-detection potential of Nd2NiZrO6@GO electrodes for paracetamol and dopamine

Abstract

Paracetamol (PA), a widely used pain-relieving drug, and dopamine (DO), a vital neurotransmitter, often coexist in biological fluids due to their widespread use in medical treatments. This makes it essential to develop a selective material that can simultaneously detect both molecules, contributing to the environmental monitoring of these bioactive compounds. Herein, a Nd₂NiZrO₆@GO nanocomposite is developed that simultaneously detects the target analytes PA and DO. The nanocomposite was synthesized via the sol–gel technique and later subjected to various kinds of material characterization, including X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy techniques. Upon confirming the formation of the nanocomposite, the material was evaluated for its selective detection of PA and DO using cyclic voltammetry and linear sweep voltammetry. The modified glassy carbon electrode exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity, enabling simultaneous detection of PA and DO within a concentration range of 50–120 μM, with detection limits of 5.01 μM and 3.05 μM, with the corresponding sensitivities of 1.54 μA μM⁻¹ cm⁻² and 1.51 μA μM⁻¹ cm⁻², respectively. The developed sensor demonstrated high selectivity and was successfully applied for the simultaneous determination of PA and DO in real samples.