Zn-Doped Fe3O4 Nanoparticle @ N, S and P Doped Elaeagnus Angustifolia Gum Derived Carbon Hybrid Electrocatalyst: Synthesis, Characterization and Electrochemical Sensing of Acetaminophen

Over use or long term exposure of acetaminophen (APAP) could cause severe damage to human health. Currently APAP related events is still a global burden. Therefore, secure management of APAP is important for avoiding possible APAP induced incidents. Rapid sensing of APAP in human body fluids can help in better moniotoring of the health condition and provide information for necessary medical aid. Electrochemical sensor utilizing functional nanomaterials and nanostructures have been proved to be a facile approach for sensing APAP in human body fluids. Among various fucntional nanmaterials, the transition element doped Fe3O4 nanoparticle decorated carbon materials have found extensive applications in catalysis, energy and environmental etc. areas. In order to explore the versatility of Zn doped Fe3O4 nanoparticle incorporated with biomass carbon electrocatalyst in electrochemical sensing area, we prepared the N, S and P doped biomass carbon material (NSP-BC) from the biomass of Elaeagnus Angustifolia gum through pyrolysis approach. Then, facile one-pot polyol solvothermal synthesis method was adpoted for deposition of Zn doped Fe3O4 nanoparticle onto the NSP-BC. Among the synthesized electrocatalysts, the Zn/Fe ratio of 0.132 electrocatalyst was found to show the highest Ipa response current towards APAP molecule. The electrocatalysts were systematically characterized by scanning electron microscope, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, element mapping, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffractometer, Raman spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy and electrochemical analysis. The electrocatalyst modified glassy carbon electrode sensor achieved a wide linear sensing range of APAP from 2.5 to 500 μM covering urinary physiological APAP concentration range with a limit of detection of 63.9 nM and a sensitivity of 0.64 μA μM-1 cm-2. The electrocatalyst modified GCE sensor also exhibited satisfactory recovery rates of APAP in urine samples. This facile synthesized Zn-doped Fe3O4 nanoparticle @ NSP-BC electrocatalyst has potential application in clinical diagnostics and pharmaceutical analysis.