Electrochemical Oxidation of Paracetamol Mediated by MgB₂ Microparticles Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

Abstract

A MgB₂ microparticles modified glassy carbon electrode (MgB₂/GCE) was fabricated by adhering microparticles of MgB₂ onto the electrode surface of GCE. It was used as a working electrode for the detection of paracetamol in 0.1 M KH₂PO₄ aqueous solution during cyclic voltammetry. Use of the MgB₂/GCE the oxidation process of paracetamol with a current enhancement significantly by about 2.1 times. The detection limit of this modified electrode was found to be 30 μM. The sensitivity under conditions of cyclic voltammetry is significantly dependent on pH, supporting electrolyte, temperature and scan rate. The current enhancement observed in different electrolytic media varied in the following order: KH₂PO₄ > KCl > K₂SO₄ > KBr. Interestingly, the oxidation of paracetamol using modified GC electrode remain constant even after 15 cycling. It is therefore evident that the MgB₂ modified GC electrode possesses some degree of stability. A slope of 0.52 dependent of scan rate on current indicates that the system undergoes diffusion-controlled process.