NH2-Functionalized Multi Walled Carbon Nanotubes Decorated with ZnO Nanoparticles and Graphene Quantum Dots for Sensitive Assay of Pimozide

In this study, a novel and sensitive electrochemical nanosensor for the determination of antipsychotic drug Pimozide (PZ) is proposed using NH2 functionalized multi walled carbon nanotubes (NH(2)fMWCNT) decorated with and ZnO nanoparticles (ZnONPs) co-catalyzed by graphene quantum dots (GQDs). Prior to electrochemical analyses of PZ, the designed nanosensor was well characterized in terms of surface morphology by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and SEM armed with EDX analysis. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) employed to investigate the electron transfer capability and cyclic voltammetry (CV) technique was used to successfully compare the redox response of PZ on the surface of modified and unmodified electrode. The designed nanosensor response was linear between 6.25x10(-11)-1.20x10(-7) M concentration range of PZ with a limit of detection value as 1.02x10(-11) M. The influence of interfering agents was further studied to examine the selectivity of the designed sensor. A rapid screening of PZ as is required in pharmaceutical and biological samples underscores the paramount importance of nano based electrochemical sensor for its sensitive and selective detection.