Rational Design of Nanostructured Copper Phosphate Nanoflakes Supported Niobium Carbide for the Selective Electrochemical Detection of Melatonin

In the present study, we have designed a highly conductive electrode material niobium carbide (NbC) entangled with copper phosphate (Cu3P2O8). The combined features of the efficient electrocatalyst with improved electrical conductivity, more active sites, with a high surface area were employed for the electrochemical sensing of melatonin (MLT). MLT is a naturally secreted hormone in our brain responsible for maintaining our daily circadian cycle. The detection of such hormones in clinical studies can help maintain several problems. The Cu3P2O8/NbC was initially characterized to analyze the physicochemical properties. The high crystalline Cu3P2O8 resembled a self-assembled flake ball-like structure entangled with NbC sheets. The synergistic effect between the catalyst enhances the electrochemical performance of MLT. The Cu3P2O8/NbC fabricated glassy carbon electrode obtained an enhanced oxidation response of MLT. The linearity range of MLT was about 0.014–1517.68 μM with a low limit of detection of about 0.0083 μM. The fabricated electrode showed high selectivity to the interfering compounds added and the sensitivity was about 5.137 μA μM–1 cm–2. The real samples showed good results at the Cu3P2O8/NbC/GCE. The Cu3P2O8/NbC/GCE will be more efficient and reliable in detecting the employed drugs or any other analytes of choice. Thus, the low cost, with improved electrochemical performances and significant features of the prepared electrode will be of great interest.