Fast and novel multiwalled carbon nanotubes decorated with metal oxide nanoparticles for potentiometric detection of a prohibited medication in sports acebutolol hydrochloride

Abstract

A straightforward approach for creating fast and novel potentiometric sensors that are modified with multi-walled nanotubes (MWCNTs) was described. The impact of the selective sensor's material was studied. The suggested sensors were successfully fabricated for instant and fast detection of the prohibited β-adrenoreceptor blocking agent acebutolol hydrochloride (AC) in commercial products. Acebutolol-phosphomolybdate (AC-PM) carbon paste sensor was formed by mixing AC and phosphomolybdic acid and graphite powder in the presence of o-nitrophenyl octyl ether (o-NPOE) as a plasticizing agent. The functionalized AC-PM-MWCNTs and AC-PM-MWCNTs-Al2O3 nanocomposite sensors were prepared and all parameters affecting the sensors' potential responses have been investigated as well as the green synthesis of Al2O3NPs has been characterized using various microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. AC-PM-MWCNTs and AC-PM-MWCNTs-Al2O3 nanocomposite sensors demonstrated linearity of 1.0 × 10−7-1.0 × 10−2 and 1.0 × 10−8-1.0 × 10−2 mol L−1, respectively with regression equations −53.571x + 423.24 (r = 0.999) and −57.107x + 518.54 (r = 0.999). It also revealed excellent selectivity and sensitivity for the determination and quantification of AC. The developed potentiometric system was suitable for the determination of AC in bulk powder and commercial products.

Keywords

• Abused drugs
• Acebutolol hydrochloride
• Multiwalled carbon nanotubes
• Functionalized sensor
• Metal oxide nanostructures
• Lavandula spica flowers