Electrochemical Determination of Dipyrone Using a Cold-Plasma-Treated Graphite Sheet Electrode

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Pharmaceutical compound analysis requires fast, reliable, and cost-effective methods.
• Existing techniques can be expensive and time-consuming.
• Development of novel sensors is crucial for pharmaceutical and environmental applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a low-cost, disposable sensor for dipyrone (DIP) quantification.
• To utilize a cold plasma-treated graphite sheet electrode (GSE) for enhanced electrochemical sensing.
• To validate the sensor's performance in complex matrices like synthetic urine.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a disposable working electrode using a graphite sheet electrode (GSE).
• Surface modification of the GSE via cold plasma discharge with argon and O2.
• Electrochemical characterization including cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry (SWV).
• Optimization of pH for DIP detection, with pH 4.0 selected as optimal.

Main Results:

• The pyrolytic graphite sheet (PGS) electrode exhibited a diffusion-controlled process for DIP.
• SWV enabled DIP quantification within a linear range of 2.5-200 μmol L⁻¹.
• A low limit of detection (LOD) of approximately 0.31 μmol L⁻¹ was achieved.
• Successful detection of DIP in synthetic urine samples, demonstrating practical applicability.

Conclusions:

• The cold plasma-treated GSE serves as a sensitive and cost-effective sensor for dipyrone.
• The developed sensor offers a promising tool for pharmaceutical analysis and potentially other applications.
• This approach highlights the potential of modified GSEs in electrochemical sensing.