Synthesis of 3D cubic of Eu3+/Cu2O with clover-like faces nanostructures and their application as an electrochemical sensor for determination of antiretroviral drug nevirapine

Abstract In this experiment, an original three-dimensional (3D) cubic of europium (Eu) 3+/cuprous oxide (Cu2O) with clover-like face-centered nanostructures (Eu3+/Cu2O CLFNs) was successfully synthesized to determine nevirapine (C15H14N4O), using electrochemical methods. The surface morphology of the Ns was correspondingly identified through different techniques, including energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In this sense, the synergistic influence of the Eu3+/Cu2O CLFNs enhanced the electrocatalytic capability of the electrode via a modified glassy carbon (GC) and raised the active site. Employing various approaches, the modified electrode was then analyzed through cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Moreover, kinetic parameters and electrochemical ones were estimated by means of voltammetric methods. For the determination of nevirapine applying the Eu3+/Cu2O CLFNs/GC electrode (GCE), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) was further utilized. Under optimized conditions, the range of linear responses was between 0.01 and 750.0 μM with the limit of detection (LOD) of 3.6 nM, whereas the recommended sensor sensitivity was equal to 0.1244 μA/μM. The response time of approximately 3.5 min and the reproducibility (inter- and intra-electrode reproducibility of 2.26% and 1.51%, respectively) were subsequently achieved. It was concluded that sensors have been thus far exploited to determine nevirapine in real samples with favorable outcomes, indicating that electrocatalysis modifier can be assumed as one of appropriate catalysts.