Characterization and sensing properties of a carbon nanotube paste electrode for acetaminophen

A carbon nanotube paste electrode was prepared by dispersion of multi-wall carbon nanotubes in mineral oil. An electrochemical study on acetaminophen showed that the peak current had increased and that the peak potential was negatively shifted compared to a carbon paste electrode without nanotubes, thus resulting in an electrode for acetaminophen. The linear range for the response ranges from 0.15 μM to 126 μM, and the detection limit is 43 nM (at S/N = 3). Electron transfer number, diffusion coefficient and proton number have been calculated. The relative standard deviation (n = 10; at 20 μM of acetaminophen) is 1.9%. The electrode was applied to determine acetaminophen in effervescent dosage samples. © Springer-Verlag 2009.