Gold nanoparticles anchored graphitized carbon nanofibers ionic liquid electrode for ultrasensitive and selective electrochemical sensing of anticancer drug irinotecan.

An electrochemical sensor is described for highly sensitive and selective determination of anticancer drug irinitecan (IRT). Gold nanoparticles anchored graphitized carbon nanofibers (Au@GCNFs) was prepared. Au@GCNFs was characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray. The combination of high catalytic activity of the nanocomposite Au@GCNFs and the good conductivity ionic liquid [BMIM]PF6 (IL) resulted in a modified paste electrode (IL/Au@GCNFs-PE). The IL/Au@GCNFs-PE exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity for selective determination of IRT in the presence of physiological electroactive species, such as ascorbic acid (AA), dopamine (DA), uric acid (UA), and caffeine (CAF) mixture, typically at working potential of 0.88 V vs. Ag/AgCl. The linear response ranges 4.0 nM-1.79 μM and 4.5 nM-1.57 μM with limits of detection of 1.55 nM and 1.70 nM were calculated for IRT in the absence and presence of the quaternary mixture, respectively. The sensor is reproducible and stable over four weeks, and interference by biologically essential compounds is negligible. The method was applied to the determination of IRT in pharmaceutical formulations, in spiked blood serum and urine, and in clinical patient blood. The recovery values ranged from 96.0 to 104.2%. Graphical abstract The combination of high catalytic activity of the new nanocomposite AuNPs@GCNFs with the good conductivity ionic liquid (IL) resulted to a modified paste electrode (IL/Au@GCNFs-PE). The novel sensor was successfully applied for the sensitive and selective detection of IRT in biological samples in the presence of quaternary ascorbic acid (AA), dopamine (DA), uric acid (UA), and caffeine (CAF) mixture.