Investigation of electrochemical behaviour of cefuroxime axetil using hanging mercury drop electrode and graphene oxide modified glassy carbon electrode

- This is the first study for Cefuroxime Axetil (CEFA) based on the reduction of ester carbonyl group at mercury electrode in neutral media.
- The reduction mechanism of CEFA in neutral media is different from in acidic media.
- The electrochemical reduction of CEFA at pH 7.0 based on the reduction of axetil carbonyl group, instead of methoxyimino group.
- This is the first study for CEFA based on the oxidation of Graphene Oxide Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode.
- The reduction and oxidation mechanisms of CEFA were proposed.

The electrochemical reduction and oxidation behaviour of Cefuroxime Axetil was investigated by square wave voltammetry in different supporting electrolytes. Cefuroxime Axetil has both reducible and oxidacible groups in its structure. The optimum conditions were obtained in 0.1 M phosphate borate buffer pH 7.0 for electroreduction at hanging mercury drop electrode. A well-defined peak was observed at − 1.06 V vs. Ag/AgCl/4.6 M KCl. The optimum conditions were obtained in Britton-Robinson buffer pH 2.0 for electrooxidation at modified glassy carbon electrode. A well-defined peak was observed at 1.30 V vs. Ag/AgCl/4.6 M KCl. Current type, reversibility of electrode reactions and the number of electrons transferred was investigated by using cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry and chronocoulometry. Besides calculation of diffusion coefficients and the rate constants of electron transfer, the reduction and oxidation mechanisms were also proposed.