Highly sensitive electrochemical determination of 5-fluorouracil using CuNPs/MWCNT/IL/Chit composite modified glassy carbon electrode

A fast and facile electrochemical sensor for detection of important anti-cancer drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is fabricated using a copper-nanoparticles decorated multi-walled carbon nanotube and chitosan composite modified electrode. Copper nanoparticles/multi-walled carbon nanotubes/ionic liquid/chitosan modified glassy carbon electrode (CuNPs/MWCNTs/IL/Chit/GCE) prepared by the consecutive coating of MWCNTs/IL/Chit nanocomposite on the GCE, followed by the electrodeposition of copper. Surface characteristics of the modified electrode were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The electrochemical capability of the fabricated modified electrode for the detection of 5-FU is examined by cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The nano Cu decorated MWCNTs/IL/Chit/GCE is found to be efficient for the electrocatalytic oxidation of 5-FU. The peak current of the DPV exhibited a linear relationship against 5-FU over a wide concentration range of 1-110 µM with a low detection limit (0.15 µM). Additional, the sensor was successfully applied in biological fluid sample analysis.