A novel composite film derived from cysteic acid and PDDA-functionalized graphene: Enhanced sensing material for electrochemical determination of metronidazole

A novel composite film derived from cysteic acid and poly(diallydimethylammonium chloride)-functionalized graphene (PDDA-GN) was employed as an enhanced electrode material for ultrasensitive determination of metronidazole. The cysteic acid/PDDA-GN composite film was prepared by the electrochemical grafting of cysteic acid onto the PDDA-GN coated glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The cyclic voltammetry investigations reveal that the peak current of metronidazole reduction at the cysteic acid/PDDA-GN/GCE was remarkably enhanced compared to the bare GCE, the cysteic acid/GCE and the PDDA-GN/GCE. This result implies the synergistic electrocatalytic effect of cysteic acid and PDDA-GN. The fabricated sensor shows linear response to metronidazole in the ranges of 10 nM–1 μM and 70 μM–800 μM, with a detection limit of 2.3 nM (S/N=3). The heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant and the diffusion coefficient of metronidazole were further evaluated by rotating disk electrode experiments. Moreover, we applied the present method to the determination of metronidazole in urine and lake water with satisfactory results.