Nickel vanadate-polyaniline nanocomposite for electrochemical sensing of metronidazole in urine and milk

Abstract

A facile synthetic approach has been followed to synthesize nickel vanadate (Ni3V2O8: NiV) and develop a nanocomposite with polyaniline (PANI). All three synthesized materials were characterized to understand their structure and morphology, and the results indicate the formation of nanocomposite. NiV, PANI, and NiV/PANI were used to modify glassy carbon electrode (GCE) and used as working electrodes for the electrochemical detection of metronidazole (MTR), an antibiotic drug. Enhanced electrochemical performance (in cyclic voltammetry) is observed in NiV/PANI-modified GCE compared to other electrodes due to increased surface area and conductivity. The differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) technique was evaluated using NiV/PANI@GCE for the determination of MTR and found to be sensitive with a linear range of 0.1–980 µM with 0.01 nM limit of detection (LOD). The MTR estimation was also carried out on tablets, urine, and milk samples. The percentage recovery was good and in the range of 97.52–99.42 %, with the relative standard deviation (RSD) less than 2.52 %. NiV/PANI@GCE showed good selectivity, and no deviation was observed in the current response even in the presence of other organic and inorganic molecules. The good stability, wide linear range, low limit of detection, and selectivity of the NiV/PANI-modified GCE indicate its suitability for use in pharmaceutical industries for metronidazole monitoring.