Cobalt Oxide Nanoparticles/Graphene/Ionic Liquid Crystal Modified Carbon Paste Electrochemical Sensor for Ultra-sensitive Determination of a Narcotic Drug

Purpose: Drug-abuse, namely morphine (MO) affects the metabolism of neurotransmitters such as dopamine (DA). Therefore, it is crucial to devise a sensitive sensing technique to simultaneously determine both compounds in real samples. Methods: The fabrication of the sensor is based on in situ modification of a carbon paste (CP) electrode with cobalt oxide nanoparticles, graphene, and ionic liquid crystal in presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate; CoGILCCP-SDS. The modified sensor is characterized using scanning electron microscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and voltammetry measurements. Results: Electron transfer kinetics and analytical performance of the proposed sensor were enhanced due to the synergistic role of all the modifiers. The simultaneous determination of MO and DA achieved low detection limits of 0.54 nmol L−1 and 0.25 nmol L−1, respectively. Besides, a carbon-based electrochemical sensor is fabricated for the nano-molar determination of MO in real samples and formulations. The sensor showed fouling resistance and anti-interference ability in presence of other species in human fluids. The real sample analysis of MO was successfully achieved with good recovery results in urine samples and pharmaceutical tablets. Linear dynamic range, sensitivity, detection limit and quantification limit of MO in urine were 5 nmol L−1 to 0.6 μmol L−1, 6.19 μA/μmol L-1, 0.484 nmol L−1 and 1.61 nmol L−1, respectively. Conclusion: This sensor has great ability to be extended for electrochemical applications in assaying of many drugs.