Electrochemistry and voltammetric determination of furazolidone with a multi-walled nanotube composite film-glassy carbon electrode

Abstract

This study describes the electrochemical properties of furazolidone (Fu) at a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composite film. Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry techniques were used for diagnostic purposes. The electrode (MWCNT-film-modified GCE) exhibited excellent electrocatalytic behavior for the reduction of Fu as evidenced by the enhancement of the 4e-reduction peak current and the shift in the reduction potential to more positive potential (by 50 mV) in comparison with a bare GCE. The formal potential, E ^0′, of Fu is pH dependent with a slope of 54.4 mV per unit of pH, close to the anticipated Nernestian value of −59 mV for a four-electron and four-proton processes. The transfer coefficient (α), standard rate constant of the surface reaction (k _s), diffusion coefficient (D), and surface concentration (Γ) for the MWCNT-film-modified GCE were calculated. On the other hand, Fu can be accumulated effectively on the MWCNT-film-modified GCE. Under the selected experimental conditions, i.e., solution pH 6, accumulation time 10 min, and accumulation potential −0.30 V, the peak current shows a dynamic linear range 3–800 μM with detection limit 2.30 μM. The method was successfully applied to analyze pharmaceutical formulations. The method used in this study was further applied for the determination of Fu.