Application of novel Ni(II) complex and ZrO(2) nanoparticle as mediators for electrocatalytic determination of N-acetylcysteine in drug samples

The electrooxidation of N-acetylcysteine (N-AC) was studied by a novel Ni(II) complex modified ZrO(2) nanoparticle carbon paste electrode [Ni(II)/ZrO(2)/NPs/CPE] using voltammetric methods. The results showed that Ni(II)/ZrO(2)/NPs/CPE had high electrocatalytic activity for the electrooxidation of N-AC in aqueous buffer solution (pH = 7.0). The electrocatalytic oxidation peak currents increase linearly with N-AC concentrations over the concentration ranges of 0.05–600μM using square wave voltammetric methods. The detection limit for N-AC was equal to 0.009μM. The catalytic reaction rate constant, k(h), was calculated (7.01 × 10(2) M(−1) s(−1)) using the chronoamperometry method. Finally, Ni(II)/ZrO(2)/NPs/CPE was also examined as an ultrasensitive electrochemical sensor for the determination of N-AC in real samples such as tablet and urine.