Silver-functionalized carbon nanofiber composite electrodes for ibuprofen detection

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Carbon nanofibers (CNFs) are promising nanomaterials for electrochemical applications due to their high surface area and conductivity.
• Developing efficient and sensitive electrochemical sensors for pharmaceutical pollutant detection is crucial for environmental monitoring.
• Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) can enhance the electrocatalytic activity of electrode materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prepare and characterize two novel silver-functionalized carbon nanofiber composite electrodes.
• To evaluate the suitability of these electrodes for the electrochemical detection of ibuprofen in aqueous solutions.
• To compare the electroanalytical performance of silver-decorated CNF-epoxy and silver-modified natural zeolite-CNF-epoxy electrodes.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of silver-decorated CNF-epoxy composite electrodes.
• Preparation of silver-modified natural zeolite-CNF-epoxy composite electrodes.
• Electrochemical characterization using cyclic voltammetry and differential-pulsed voltammetry.
• Application of a preconcentration step prior to detection.

Main Results:

• Both fabricated electrodes demonstrated potential for ibuprofen detection.
• The silver-decorated carbon nanotube composite electrode exhibited superior electroanalytical parameters compared to the zeolite-modified electrode.
• Optimal detection was achieved using a preconcentration/differential-pulsed voltammetry scheme.

Conclusions:

• Silver-functionalized carbon nanofiber composite electrodes are effective for ibuprofen sensing.
• The silver-decorated carbon nanotube composite electrode offers enhanced performance for sensitive and selective detection.
• This study provides a foundation for developing advanced electrochemical sensors for pharmaceutical analysis.