Highly Sensitive Amperometric Detection of Hydrogen Peroxide in Saliva Based on N-Doped Graphene Nanoribbons and MnO₂ Modified Carbon Paste Electrodes

Abstract

Four different graphene-based nanomaterials (htGO, N-htGO, htGONR, and N-htGONR) were synthesized, characterized, and used as a modifier of carbon paste electrode (CPE) in order to produce a reliable, precise, and highly sensitive non-enzymatic amperometric hydrogen peroxide sensor for complex matrices. CPE, with their robustness, reliability, and ease of modification, present a convenient starting point for the development of new sensors. Modification of CPE was optimized by systematically changing the type and concentration of materials in the modifier and studying the prepared electrode surface by cyclic voltammetry. N-htGONR in combination with manganese dioxide (1:1 ratio) proved to be the most appropriate material for detection of hydrogen peroxide in pharmaceutical and saliva matrices. The developed sensor exhibited a wide linear range (1.0–300 µM) and an excellent limit of detection (0.08 µM) and reproducibility, as well as high sensitivity and stability. The sensor was successfully applied to real sample analysis, where the recovery values for a commercially obtained pharmaceutical product were between 94.3% and 98.0%. Saliva samples of a user of the pharmaceutical product were also successfully analyzed.

Keywords

• electrochemical sensor
• hydrogen peroxide
• graphene
• graphene nanoribbons
• amperometry