Facile construction of 3D pyramidal Cu nanoparticles on indium tin oxide: a simple and sensitive platform for
Marzieh Nodehi1,2, Mehdi Baghayeri3,4, Mehrzad Berenji Nohedani5
1Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Kosar University of Bojnord, P.O. Box: 9415615458, Bojnord, Iran. m.nodehi@kub.ac.ir.
Abstract:
A platform is presented based on electrosynthesis of pyramidal Cu nanoparticles (p-CuNPs), in a three-dimensional structure on an indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode. The electrochemical sensing utility of this structure was evaluated for detection of methadone. A key advantage of current approach is the ultra-fast synthesis of the p-CuNPs on the ITO, which is accomplished in only 120 s. The SEM images showed that the p-CuNPs were arranged in cubic blocks to form 3D Cu pyramids on the ITO electrode substrate named p-CuNPs/ITO electrode. In optimal condition, the p-CuNPs expose a wider area, effective mass transport, and more electroactive sites for the interaction of the target analyte that improved the current signals: a ~ 6072-fold increase compared to bare ITO and a 3.3-fold enhancement over a metallic Cu plate. It was observed that the p-CuNPs/ITO sensor platforms exhibit a linear response over a concentration range from 0.005 to 120 μM methadone, with a detection limit of 1.4 nM. The sensor selectivity was investigated across a wide range of drugs and biological compounds, and the sensor showed high selectivity for detecting methadone. The detection of methadone in urine and blood samples with excellent recoveries confirms exceptional response of the sensor in biological assays.
