Application of a trazodone-selective electrode to pharmaceutical quality control and urine analyses

A trazodone-selective electrode for application in pharmaceutical quality control and urine analysis was developed. The electrode is based on incorporation of a trazodone-tetraphenylborate ion exchanger in a poly(vinyl chloride) membrane. The electrode showed a fast, stable and Nernstian response over a wide trazodone concentration range (5 × 10⁻⁵−1 × 10⁻² M) with a mean slope of 59.3 ± 0.9 mV/dec of concentration, a mean detection limit of 1.8 × 10⁻⁵± 2.2 × 10⁻⁶ M, a wide working pH range (5–7.5) and a fast response time (less than 20 s). The electrode also showed good accuracy, repeatability, reproducibility and selectivity with respect to some inorganic and organic compounds, including the main trazodone metabolite. The electrode provided good analytical results in the determination of trazodone in pharmaceuticals and spiked urine samples; no extraction steps were necessary. Dissolution testing of trazodone tablets, in different conditions of pH and particle size, based on a direct potentiometric determination with the new selective electrode is presented as well.     

Construction and Evaluation of a Promazinium Cation-Selective Electrode

 The construction of a plasticised PVC matrix-type promazinium cation-selective membrane electrode and its use in the potentiometric determination of promazine hydrochloride in pharmaceutical preparations are described. It is based on the use of the ion-associate species, formed by promazinium cation and tetraphenylborate (TPB) counter ion. The basic electrode performance characteristics are evaluated according to IUPAC recommendations. It exhibited a linear response for 1 × 10⁻²−1 × 10⁻⁵ M of promazine hydrochloride solutions with a cationic Nernstian slope over the pH range 2–6. Common organic and inorganic cations showed negligible interference. Direct potentiometric determination of 1 × 10⁻²−1 × 10⁻⁵ M aqueous promazine hydrochloride using this membrane electrode system showed an average recovery of 99.5% with a mean standard deviation of 1.5%. This electrode was successfully used for monitoring the titration of promazine hydrochloride with sodium tetraphenyl borate and for determining promazine hydrochloride in ampoules. Received June 15, 2001 Revision November 6, 2001     

Simultaneous determination of uric acid and ascorbic acid at a ferrocenium–thioglycollate modified electrode

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMS) of chemisorbed thioglycollate on a gold electrode surface have been used as a base interface for the electrostatic adsorption of ferrocenium ion. Electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) were used to evaluate the electrochemical properties of the supramolecular film. The bare gold electrode failed to distinguish the oxidation peaks of ascorbic acid (AA) and uric acid (UA) in phosphate buffer solution (PBS, pH 7.0), while the ferricinium–thioglycollate modified electrode could separate them efficiently. In differiential pulse voltammetric measurements, the prepared gold electrode could separate AA and UA signals, allowing the simultaneous determination of AA and UA. Under optimal conditions and within the linear range of 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 5.0 × 10⁻⁴ M, the detection limits of AA and UA achieved were 2.0 × 10⁻⁷ and 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ M, respectively. The applicability of the prepared electrode was demonstrated by measuring AA and UA in human urine without any pretreatment. Figure Fabrication process for the modified electrode     

Cationic Surfactant-Selective Electrode Based on a Hydrophobic Cation Exchanger

 A cationic surfactant-selective electrode for sensitive analysis of cationic surfactants has been developed by using a plasticized poly (vinyl chloride) membrane based on a hydrophobic cation exchanger, sodium tetrakis (3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl) borate. The electrode shows a Nernstian response to dodecyltrimethylammonium (DTA) ion in the concentration range from 8 × 10⁻⁷ M to 10⁻² M with a slope of 55.3 ± 2.0 mV/decade. The electrode was used over a wide pH range of pH 2–12. The electrode is excellently selective for the DTA ion over inorganic anions, but interferences of other cationic surfactants such as cetylpyridinium ion and tetradecyldimethylbenzylammonium ion (zephiramine) are great. The present electrode was applied to determine total cationic surfactants in commercial disinfectants. Received February 27, 2002; accepted June 14, 2002     

Voltammetric determination of thiocytosine based on its electrocatalytic oxidation on the surface of carbon-paste electrode modified with cobalt Schiff base complexes

The electrochemical oxidation of thiocytosine on the surface of carbon-paste electrode modified with Schiff base (salophen derivatives) complexes of cobalt is studied. The effect of the substituents in the structure of salophen on the catalytic property of the modified electrode is investigated by using cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry. Cobalt (II)-5-nitrosalophen, because of its electrophilic functional groups, leads to a considerable enhancement in the catalytic activity, sensitivity (peak current), and a marked increase in the anodic potential of the modified electrode. The differential pulse voltammetry is applied as a very sensitive method for the detection of thiocytosine. The linear dynamic range was between 1 × 10⁻³ to 4 × 10⁻⁶ M with a slope of 0.0168 μA/μM, and the detection limit was 1 × 10⁻⁶ M. The modified electrode is successfully applied for the voltammetric detection of thiocytosine in human synthetic serum sample and also pharmaceutical preparations. A linear range from 1 × 10⁻³ to 1 × 10⁻⁵ M with a slope of 0.0175 μA/μM is resulted for the standard addition of thiocytosine spiked to the buffered human serum, which is differing from the curve in buffer solution about 4%. The electrode has a very good reproducibility (relative standard deviation for the slope of the calibration curve is less than 3.5% based on six determinations in a month), high stability in its voltammetric response and low detection limit for thiocytosine, and high electrochemical sensitivity with respect to other biological thiols such as cysteine.     

Simultaneous voltammetric measurement of ascorbic acid and dopamine on poly(caffeic acid)-modified glassy carbon electrode

A poly(caffeic acid) thin film was deposited on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode by potentiostatic technique in an aqueous solution containing caffeic acid. The poly(caffeic acid)-modified electrode was used for the determination of ascorbic acid (AA), dopamine (DA), and their mixture by cyclic voltammetry. This modified electrode exhibited a potent and persistent electron-mediating behavior followed by well-separated oxidation peaks toward AA and DA at a scan rate of 10 mV s⁻¹ with a potential difference of 135 mV, which was large enough to determine AA and DA individually and simultaneously. The catalytic peak current obtained was linearly dependent on the AA and DA concentrations in the range of 2.0 × 10⁻⁵−1.2 × 10⁻³ and 1.0 × 10⁻⁶−4.0 × 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹ in 0.15 mol L⁻¹ phosphate buffer (pH 6.64). The detection limits for AA and DA were 9.0 × 10⁻⁶ and 4.0 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹, respectively. The modified electrode shows good sensitivity, selectivity, and stability and has been applied to the determination of DA and AA in real samples with satisfactory results.     

Covalent Modification of Glassy Carbon Electrode with L-Cysteine for the Determination of Acetaminophen

A novel L-cysteine film modified electrode has been fabricated by means of an electrochemical oxidation procedure, and it was successfully applied to the electrochemical determination of acetaminophen. This method utilizes the electrooxidation of amines to their analogous cation radicals to form a chemically stable covalent linkage between the nitrogen atom of the amine and edge plane sites at the glassy carbon electrode surface. The electrochemical behaviour of acetaminophen at the film electrode was investigated in 0.1 mol L⁻¹ phosphate buffer (pH 6.20). It was found that the redox peak current of acetaminophen was enhanced greatly on the film electrode. Linearity between the oxidation peak current and the acetaminophen concentration was obtained in the range of 1.0 × 10⁻⁴–2.0 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹ with a detection limit of 5.0 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹. For seven parallel detections of 1.0 × 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹ acetaminophen, the relative standard deviation (RSD) was 1.46%, suggesting that the film electrode has excellent reproducibility. Application to the determination of acetaminophen in drug tablets and human urine demonstrated that the film electrode has good stability and high sensitivity.     

A solid-contact Pb2+-selective polymeric membrane electrode with Nafion-doped poly(pyrrole) as ion-to-electron transducer

Conducting polymer poly(pyrrole) (PPy) doped with Nafion was successfully used as ion-to-electron transducer in the construction of a solid-contact Pb²⁺-selective polymeric membrane electrode. The Nafion dopant can effectively increase the capacitance of the conducting polymer and improve the mechanical robustness of the coating. The transducer layer, PPy-Nafion, characterized by cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, exhibits a sufficiently high bulk (redox) capacitance and fast ion and electron transport process. The new Pb²⁺-selective polymeric membrane electrode, based on PPy-Nafion film as solid contact, shows stable Nernstian characteristics in Pb(NO₃)₂ solution within the concentration range of 1.0 × 10⁻⁷–1.0 × 10⁻³ M, and the detection limit is 4.3 × 10⁻⁸ M. The potential stability of the electrode and the influence of the interfacial water layer were also evaluated by chronopotentiometry and potentiometric water layer test, respectively. The results show that the solid-contact Pb²⁺-selective electrode, based on PPy-Nafion film as ion-to-electron transducer, can effectively overcome the potential drift and reduce the water layer between the PPy-Nafion transducer layer and the ion-selective membrane.     

Perchlorate selective membrane electrodes based on a platinum complex

Three platinum(II) complexes were synthesized and studied to characterize their ability as an anion carrier in a PVC membrane electrode. The polymeric membrane electrodes (PME) and also coated glassy carbon electrodes (CGCE) prepared with one of these complexes showed excellent response characteristics to perchlorate ions. The electrodes exhibited Nernstian responses to ClO₄ ⁻ ions over a wide concentration range from 1.5 × 10⁻⁶ to 2.7 × 10⁻¹ M for PME and 5.0 × 10⁻⁷ to 1.9 × 10⁻¹ M for CGCE with low detection limits (9.0 × 10⁻⁷ M for PME and 4.0 × 10⁻⁷ M for CGCE). The electrodes possess fast response time, satisfactory reproducibility, appropriate lifetime and, most importantly, good selectivity toward ClO₄ ⁻ relative to a variety of other common anions. The potentiometric response of the electrodes is independent of the pH of the test solution in the pH range 2.0–9.0. The proposed sensors were used in potentiometric determination of perchlorate ions in mineral water and urine samples. Correspondence: Ahmad Soleymanpour, Department of Chemistry, Damghan Basic Science University, Damghan, Iran.     

Determination of thiocyanate ions at nanolevel in real samples using coated graphite electrode based on synthesised macrocyclic Zn(II) complex

The electrode characteristics and selectivities of PVC-based thiocyanate selective polymeric membrane electrode (PME) incorporating the newly synthesized zinc complex of 6,7:14,15-Bzo₂-10,11-(4-methylbenzene)-[15]-6,8,12,14-tetraene-9,12-N₂-1,5-O₂ (I ₁ ) and zinc complex of 6,7:14,15-Bzo₂-10,11-(4-methylbenzene)-[15]-6,14-diene-9,12-dimethylacrylate-9,12-N₂-1,5-O₂ (I ₂ ) are reported here. The best response was observed with the membrane having a composition of I₂:PVC:o-NPOE:HTAB in the ratio of 6:33:59:2 (w/w; milligram). This electrode exhibited Nernstian slope for thiocyanate ions over working concentration range of 4.4 × 10⁻⁷ to 1.0 × 10⁻² mol L⁻¹ with detection limit of 2.2 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹. The performance of this electrode was compared with coated graphite electrode (CGE), which showed better response characteristics w.r.t Nernstian slope 59.0 ± 0.2 mV decade⁻¹ activity, wide concentration range of 8.9 × 10⁻⁸ to 1.0 × 10⁻² mol L⁻¹ and detection limit of 6.7 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹. The response time for CGE and PME was found to be 8 and 10 s, respectively. The proposed electrode (CGE) was successfully applied to direct determination of thiocyanate in biological and environmental samples and also as indicator electrode in potentiometric titration of SCN⁻ ion.     

Application of a Single-Wall Carbon Nano-Tube Film Electrode to the Determination of Trace Amounts of Folic Acid

Single-wall carbon nano-tubes were used to modify the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GC) and applied in the determination of folic acid with voltammetry. The experiments demonstrated that the presence of a carbon nano-tube film on the electrode greatly increased the reduction peak current of folic acid. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) were used in a comparative investigation of the electrochemical reduction of folic acid with the film electrode. Effects of pH on the peak current and the peak potential were studied in the pH range of 4.0–8.0 with Britton-Robinson buffer solution. The reduction peak current was found to be linearly related to folic acid concentration over the range of 1 × 10⁻⁸ to 1 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ with a detection limit of 1 × 10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹ after 5 min accumulation. The film electrode provides an efficient way for eliminating interferences from some inorganic and organic species in the solution. The high sensitivity, selectivity and stability of the film electrode demonstrate its practical application from a simple and rapid determination of folic acid in tablets.     

Determination of Selenium in Biological Materials Using an Ion-Selective Electrode

A method was developed for determining selenium with a self-made ion-selective electrode was developed. This electrode was made by using Ag₂Se as electroactive material. Optimal working conditions and interferences were investigated. The electrode exhibits good potentiometric response for Se²⁻ ions over the concentration range from 6 × 10⁻⁷ mol · L⁻¹ to 1 × 10⁻⁴ mol · L⁻¹ with a Nernstian slope of 28 ± 1 mV per decade and a detection limit of about 4.5 × 10⁻⁷ mol · L⁻¹. It was used over six months and exhibits good selectivity and sensitivity towards Se²⁻. The method was applied to determine selenium in biological materials. The recovery ranges between 92% and 105.5%, and the relative standard derivation is less than 3.6% (n = 6).     

Solid-state Cu (II) ion-selective electrode based on polyaniline-conducting polymer film doped with copper carmoisine dye complex

A pencil graphite electrode coated by copper (II)–carmoisine dye complex in polyaniline (emeraldine base form) matrix (termed as PGE/PA/Cu-Car) was prepared and used as copper ion-selective electrode. The introduced electrode was found to have high selectivity toward copper ion (II) and exhibited wide working concentration range, low response time, and good shelf life. The sensor electrode showed a linear Nernstian response over the range of 5.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 1.0 × 10⁻¹ M with a slope of 29.7 ± 1 mV per decade change in concentration. A detection limit of 2.0 × 10⁻⁶ M was obtained. The optimum pH working range of the electrode was found to be 4.0–7.0.     

Adsorption voltammetry of the zirconium-alizarin red S complex at a multi-walled carbon nanotubes modified carbon paste electrode

We used a carbon paste electrode modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes as a working electrode and studied the electrochemical behavior of zirconium-alizarin red S complex on it. It was found that the modified electrode exhibited a significant catalytic effect toward the reduction of free alizarin red S and the complex. The second derivative linear scan voltammograms of the complex were recorded by a polarographic analyser from 0 to −1000 mV (vs. SCE), and it was found that the complex can be adsorbed on the surface of the modified electrode, yielding a peak at about −470 mV, corresponding to the reduction of alizarin red S in the complex. The linear range was found to be 2.0 × 10⁻¹¹–8.0 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹, and the detection limit was 1.0 × 10⁻¹¹ mol L⁻¹ (S/N = 3) for 3 min accumulation. The procedure was successfully applied to the determination of trace amounts of zirconium in the ore samples. Correspondence: Pei-Hong Deng, Department of Chemistry and Material Science, Hengyang Normal University, Hengyang Hunan 421008, P.R. China     

Tetracyanoquinodimethanide adsorbed on a silica gel modified with titanium oxide for electrocatalytic oxidation of hydrazine

The electrocatalytical oxidation of hydrazine at low potential using tetracyanoquinodimethanide adsorbed on silica modified with titanium oxide was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and amperometry. The modified electrode was prepared modifying a carbon paste electrode employing lithium tetracyanoquinodimethanide adsorbed onto silica gel modified with titanium oxide. This electrode showed an excellent catalytic activity and stability for hydrazine oxidation. With this modified electrode, the oxidation potential of hydrazine was shifted toward less positive value, presenting a peak current much higher than those observed on a bare GC electrode. The linear response range, sensitivity and detection limit were, respectively, 2 up to 100 μmol l⁻¹, 0.36 μA l μmol⁻¹, and 0.60 μmol l⁻¹. The repeatability of the modified electrode evaluated in term of relative standard deviation was 4.2% for 10 measurements of 100 μmol l⁻¹ hydrazine solution. The number of electrons involved in hydrazine oxidation (4), the heterogenous electron transfer rate constant (1.08 × 10³ mol⁻¹ l s⁻¹), and diffusion coefficient (5.9 × 10⁻⁶ cm² s⁻¹) were evaluated with a rotating disk electrode.     

Voltammetric Sensor for the Determination of Parathion Using an Electropolymerized Poly(Carmine) Film Electrode

A voltammetric sensor for the determination of parathion has been developed based on the use of a poly(carmine) film electrode. The reduction of parathion at the poly(carmine) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) is studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and linear scan voltammetry (LSV). Parathion yields a well-defined reduction peak at a potential of −0.595 V on the poly(carmine) modified GCE in pH 6.0 phosphate buffer solution (PBS). Compared with that on a bare GCE, the reduction peak current of parathion is significantly enhanced. All the experimental parameters are optimized for the determination of parathion. The reduction peak current is linear with the parathion concentration in the range of 5.0 × 10⁻⁸ to 1.0 × 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹, and the detection limit is 1.0 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹.     

FAD-modified SiO2/ZrO2/C ceramic electrode for electrocatalytic reduction of bromate and iodate

SiO₂/ZrO₂/C carbon ceramic material with composition (in wt%) SiO₂ = 50, ZrO₂ = 20, and C = 30 was prepared by the sol–gel-processing method. A high-resolution transmission electron microscopy image showed that ZrO₂ and the graphite particles are well dispersed inside the matrix. The electrical conductivity obtained for the pressed disks of the material was 18 S cm⁻¹, indicating that C particles are also well interconnected inside the solid. An electrode modified with flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) prepared by immersing the solid SiO₂/ZrO₂/C, molded as a pressed disk, inside a FAD solution (1.0 × 10⁻³ mol L⁻¹) was used to investigate the electrocatalytic reduction of bromate and iodate. The reduction of both ions occurred at a peak potential of −0.41 V vs. the saturated calomel reference electrode. The linear response range (lrr) and detection limit (dl) were: BrO₃ ⁻, lrr = 4.98 × 10⁻⁵–1.23 × 10⁻³ mol L⁻¹ and dl = 2.33 μmol L⁻¹; IO₃ ⁻, lrr = 4.98 × 10⁻⁵ up to 2.42 × 10⁻³ and dl = 1.46 μmol L⁻¹ for iodate.     

A New Differential Pulse Voltammetric Method for the Determination of Nitrate at a Copper Plated Glassy Carbon Electrode

 A differential pulse voltammetric method for the determination of nitrate has been described, which is applicable to the analysis of natural water samples with nitrate levels greater than 2.8 × 10⁻⁶ M. A reduction peak for the nitrate ions at a freshly copper plated glassy carbon electrode was observed at about −0.50 V vs Ag ∣AgCl∣KCl_satd electrode in a solution of 2.0 × 10⁻² M Cu²⁺, 0.5 M H₂SO₄ and 1.0 × 10⁻³ M KCl and exploited for analytical purposes. The working linear range was established by regression analysis and found to extend from 2.8 ×10⁻⁶ M to 8.0 × 10⁻⁵ M. The proposed method was applied for the determination of nitrate in natural waters. The detection limit of the method was 2.8 × 10⁻⁶ M and the sensitivity was 0.9683 A·L/mol. The possible interferences by some ions such as phosphate, nitrite and some halides were determined and found to lead to shifts of the peak position and increasing the peak heights. Received March 15, 1999. Revision July 9, 1999.     

Determination of rutin using a CeO2 nanoparticle-modified electrode

CeO₂ nanoparticles approximately 12 nm in size were synthesized and subsequently characterized by XRD, TEM and UV-vis spectroscopy. Then, a gold electrode modified with CeO₂ nanoparticles was constructed and characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The modified electrode demonstrated strong catalytic effects with high stability towards electrochemical oxidation of rutin. The anodic peak currents (measured by differential pulse voltammetry) increased linearly with the concentration of rutin in the range of 5.0 × 10⁻⁷–5.0 × 10⁻⁴ mol · L⁻¹. The detection limit (S/N = 3) was 2.0 × 10⁻⁷ mol · L⁻¹. The relative standard deviation (RSD) of 8 successive scans was 3.7% for 5.0 × 10⁻⁶ mol · L⁻¹ rutin. The method showed excellent sensitivity and stability, and the determination of rutin in tablets was satisfactory.     

Preconcentration and Voltammetric Study of Nicergoline at a Carbon Paste Electrode

 The electrochemical oxidation of nicergoline is investigated using cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry at a carbon paste electrode. For the determination of nicergoline an adsorptive stripping procedure is proposed. The response is characterized with respect to pH, ionic strength, preconcentration time, accumulation potential, nicergoline concentration, reproducibility and other variables. By differential pulse voltammetry at a carbon paste electrode and pH 8.0, a linear calibration in the range 5×10⁻⁸ M to 1×10⁻⁷ M and a detection limit of 1×10⁻⁸ M are obtained. The preconcentration medium-exchange approach was used for a selective determination of nicergoline in urine. For dilute urine samples a detection limit of 5×10⁻⁸ M is obtained after 3 min of accumulation and medium-exchange. The procedure also is applied for the determination of nicergoline in dosage form. Received August 24, 1998. Revision April 8, 1999.