Simultaneous voltammetric determination of acetaminophen and tramadol using Dowex50wx2 and gold nanoparticles modified glassy carbon paste electrode

A glassy carbon paste electrode (GCPE) modified with a cation exchanger resin, Dowex50wx2 and gold nanoparticles (D50wx2–GNP–GCPE) has been developed for individual and simultaneous determination of acetaminophen (ACOP) and tramadol (TRA). The electrochemical behavior of both the molecules has been investigated employing cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronocoulometry (CC), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and adsorptive stripping square wave voltammetry (AdSSWV). The studies revealed that the oxidation of ACOP and TRA is facilitated at D50wx2–GNP–GCPE. Using AdSSWV, the method allowed simultaneous determination of ACOP and TRA in the linear working range of 3.34 × 10−8 to 4.22 × 10−5 M with detection limits of 4.71 × 10−9 and 1.12 × 10−8 M (S/N = 3) for ACOP and TRA respectively. The prepared modified electrode shows several advantages such as simple preparation method, long-time stability, ease of preparation and regeneration of the electrode surface by simple polishing and excellent reproducibility. The high sensitivity and selectivity of D50wx2–GNP–GCPE were demonstrated by its practical application in the determination of both ACOP and TRA in pharmaceutical formulations, urine and blood serum samples.

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► Simultaneous determination of acetaminophen (ACOP) and tramadol (TRA) carried out.
► Adsorptive stripping square wave voltammetry (AdSSWV) employed for the determination.
► Dowex50wx2 and gold nanoparticles modified glassy carbon paste electrode used for the analysis.
► Analysis of ACOP and TRA in pharmaceutical formulations, blood serum and urine.
► Dowex50wx2 used for the first time as a modifier for organic molecules.