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Lab-Made Electrochemical System with Flexible rGO/PAni Electrode for Selective Multiclass Pharmaceutical Detection
Layne Taynara Santos Zanon1, Vitor Hugo Neto Martins1, Liriana Mara Roveda1
1Faculdade de Ciências Exatas e Tecnologia, Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados, Rodovia Dourados-Itahum, km 12, Dourados, MS 79804-970, Brazil.
ACS Omega
|February 9, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed a novel electrochemical system using a reduced graphene oxide/polyaniline composite electrode for environmental monitoring. This system efficiently detects pharmaceutical pollutants in groundwater, offering a sensitive and portable analytical solution.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Analytical Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Electrochemical techniques are crucial for sensitive, cost-effective, and portable environmental analysis.
- Conventional electrochemical setups face limitations hindering widespread application.
- Development of advanced electrode materials and cell designs is needed to improve performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce an alternative lab-made electrochemical cell with a flexible reduced graphene oxide/polyaniline (rGO/PAni) composite electrode.
- To evaluate the performance of the rGO/PAni electrode in an optimized electrochemical cell for environmental sensing.
- To demonstrate the system's capability for simultaneous detection of emerging pharmaceutical pollutants in groundwater.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a free-standing, flexible rGO/PAni nanocomposite electrode.
- Integration of the rGO/PAni electrode into a custom-designed lab-made electrochemical cell.
- Application of the system for simultaneous electrochemical detection of acetaminophen, salicylic acid, and norfloxacin in groundwater samples.
Main Results:
- The rGO/PAni composite electrode exhibited high electrical conductivity, thermal stability, and a large surface area.
- The lab-made electrochemical cell with the rGO/PAni electrode demonstrated successful simultaneous detection of target pharmaceutical contaminants.
- The system proved effective for analyzing emerging pollutants in real environmental samples (groundwater).
Conclusions:
- The developed rGO/PAni-based working electrode and optimized lab-made cell offer a promising alternative electrochemical system.
- This system shows potential for selective and sensitive environmental electroanalysis of multiclass pharmaceutical contaminants.
- The adaptable nature and advantageous properties of the rGO/PAni electrode enhance its suitability for environmental monitoring applications.
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