MICROCHEMICAL JOURNAL, cilt.193, 2023 (SCI-Expanded)
An electrode based on pencil leads (PGE) coated with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and poly(L-cystine) (P(L-cyst)) was devised and used for the simultaneous analysis of ternary drug combinations, namely, paracetamol (PA), propyphenazone (PRO) and caffeine (CA). The sensor is designed step-by-step by electro-polymerization: P(Lcyst) plating on the surface of PGE and then electrodeposition of AuNPs. The electrode performance was investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV). Changes on the electrode surface were elucidated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and Energy Dispersive Xray analysis (EDX). Compared to bare PGE, the modified sensor proved to be better in electrochemical current density for the analytes. The improvement was attributed to the synergistic effects of AuNPs and the organic matrix. The linear ranges were 0.023-90.0 & mu;M (for PA), 0.009 - 30.0 & mu;M (for PRO), and 0.454-600.0 & mu;M (for CA). Trial studies were also done on real samples to reveal the accuracy and reproducibility of the method.