Voltammetric studies of sumatriptan on the surface of pyrolytic graphite electrode modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes decorated with silver nanoparticles

Multi-walled carbon nanotube decorated with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs-MWCNT) is used as an effective strategy for modification of the surface of pyrolytic graphite electrode (PGE). This modification procedure improved colloidal dispersion of the decorated MWCNTs in water, affording uniform and stable thin films for altering the surface properties of the working electrode. Robust electrode for sensing applications is obtained in a simple solvent evaporation process. The electrochemical behavior of sumatriptan (Sum) at the bare PGE and AgNPs-MWCNT modified PGE is investigated. The results indicate that the AgNPs-MWCNT modified PGE significantly enhanced the oxidation peak current of Sum. A remarkable enhancement in microscopic area of the electrode together with strong adsorption of Sum on the surface of the modified electrode resulted in a considerable increase in the peak current of Sum. Experimental parameters, such as scan rate, pH, accumulation conditions and amount of the modifier used on the PGE surface are optimized by monitoring the CV responses toward Sum. It is found that a maximum current response can be obtained at pH 7.4 after accumulation at open circuit for 150 s. Further experiments demonstrated that the oxidative peak currents increased linearly with Sum concentration in the range of 8.0 × 10−8–1.0 × 10−4 mol L−1 with a detection limit of 4.0 × 10−8 mol L−1. The modified electrode showed high sensitivity, selectivity, long-term stability and remarkable voltammetric reproducibility in response to Sum. These excellent properties make the prepared sensor suitable for the analysis in pharmaceutical and clinical preparations. The modified electrode was successfully applied for the accurate determination of trace amounts of Sum in pharmaceutical preparations.