Application of novel Ni(II) complex and ZrO2 nanoparticle as mediators for electrocatalytic determination of N-acetylcysteine in drug samples

•A new Ni(II) complex synthesized and used for electrocatalysis of N-acetylcysteine.•A Coupling Ni(II) complex and ZrO2 nanoparticles improved ability of sensor for trace analysis.•This sensor was used for the determination of N-acetylcysteine in drug samples.

The electrooxidation of N-acetylcysteine (N-AC) was studied by a novel Ni(II) complex modified ZrO2 nanoparticle carbon paste electrode [Ni(II)/ZrO2/NPs/CPE] using voltammetric methods. The results showed that Ni(II)/ZrO2/NPs/CPE had high electrocatalytic activity for the electrooxidation of N-AC in aqueous buffer solution (pH = 7.0). The electrocatalytic oxidation peak currents increase linearly with N-AC concentrations over the concentration ranges of 0.05-600μM using square wave voltammetric methods. The detection limit for N-AC was equal to 0.009μM. The catalytic reaction rate constant, kh, was calculated (7.01 × 102 M−1 s−1) using the chronoamperometry method. Finally, Ni(II)/ZrO2/NPs/CPE was also examined as an ultrasensitive electrochemical sensor for the determination of N-AC in real samples such as tablet and urine.

Graphical abstractIn this study we describe a novel electrochemical sensor employing new Ni (II) complex and ZrO2 nanoparticle in carbon paste matrix for voltammetric determination of N-acetylcysteine in drug samples.Download high-res image (196KB)Download full-size image