Selective electrochemical determination of paracetamol using hematite/graphene nanocomposite modified electrode prepared in a green chemical route.

An eco-friendly procedure for the preparation of high-quality graphene incorporated iron oxide nanocomposite is reported, which is effectively used for the electrochemical determination of acetaminophen drug. The graphene dispersion is prepared by the exfoliation of graphite in a green solvent (water/ethanol 90:10 vol%/vol%) in the presence of a non-ionic surfactant for better yields. Material characterization studies reveal the lower deficiency nature of graphene sheets as well as the exclusive formation of the hematite phase of iron(III) oxide in the nanocomposite. Electrocatalytic sensing of paracetamol is carried out using cyclic voltammetric and differential pulse voltammetric measurements. A high linear concentration range of 0.3 μM–1800 μM paracetamol is observed over the hematite/graphene nanocomposite modified glassy carbon electrode. The nanocomposite is found to be highly selective in the detection of paracetamol with the presence of dopamine and other common contaminants interfered in human sample analysis. The analytical utility of the hematite/graphene-modified electrode in the estimation of the real tablet sample is also investigated. Electrochemical sensing of paracetamol is performed in a wide linear range using α-Fe 2 O 3 dispersed high quality graphene sheet modified electrode. [Display omitted] • A green one-pot low cost new synthetic route for α-Fe 2 O 3 /graphene nanocomposite in alcoholic aqueous media. • Graphene dispersion is obtained in ethanol/water mixture with the assistance of a non-ionic surfactant. • Less defective graphene sheets are generated that are highly beneficial in electrochemical applications. • The composite is effectively used as a sensitive and selective sensing platform for paracetamol. • Wide linear range, repeatability, stability and reproducibility are the prime features of the α-Fe 2 O 3 /graphene-GCE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]