A Sensitive and Selective Sensor Based on Orthorhombic Copper Molybdate Decorated on Reduced Graphene Oxide for the...

Promethazine hydrochloride (PMH) is a first-generation antipsychotic drug created from phenothiazine derivatives that is widely employed to treat psychiatric disorders in human healthcare systems. However, an overdose or long-term intake of PMH can lead to severe health issues in humans. Hence, establishing a sensitive, accurate, and efficient detection approach to detect PMH in human samples is imperative. In this study, we designed orthorhombic copper molybdate microspheres decorated on reduced graphene oxide (Cu₃Mo₂O₉/RGO) composite via the effective one-pot hydrothermal method. The structural and morphological features of the designed hybrid were studied using various spectroscopic methods. Subsequently, the electrochemical activity of the composite-modified screen-printed carbon electrode (Cu₃Mo₂O₉/RGO/SPCE) was assessed by employing voltammetric methods for PMH sensing. Owing to the uniform composition and structural benefits, the combination of Cu₃Mo₂O₉ and RGO has not only improved electrochemical properties but also enhanced the electron transport between PMH and Cu₃Mo₂O₉/RGO. As a result, the Cu₃Mo₂O₉/RGO/SPCE exhibited a broad linear range of 0.4-420.8 µM with a low limit of detection (LoD) of 0.015 µM, highlighting excellent electrocatalytic performance to PMH. It also demonstrated good cyclic stability, reproducibility, and selectivity in the presence of chlorpromazine and biological and metal compounds. Furthermore, the Cu₃Mo₂O₉/RGO/SPCE sensor displayed satisfactory recoveries for real-time monitoring of PMH in human urine and serum samples. This study delivers a promising electrochemical sensor for the efficient analysis of antipsychotic drug molecules.