Electrochemical measurement of the anti-AIDS drug Lamivudine using an electrode modified with carbon nanostructures and silver nanoparticles

In this study, the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was modified with carbon nanostructures and silver nanoparticles for the detection and analysis of lamivudine, an anti-HIV and hepatitis B drug. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were functionalized with hydroxyl groups using a mechanochemical method, transforming their hydrophobicity to hydrophilicity for homogeneous solution preparation. Electrochemical methods, including differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and chronoamperometry, were used to deposit metal nanoparticles on both the modified and unmodified GCE. The electrode surface modification parameters, such as MWCNT density and chronoamperometry parameters, were optimized using Minitab design of experiments software. The proposed sensors exhibited excellent performance for lamivudine detection, including a wide linear range, low detection limit, good repeatability, and high selectivity. The GCE surface was also modified electrochemically with silver nanoparticles. The modified electrodes displayed a reduction peak within the range of -۱.۱ V to -۰.۸ V. The modified electrodes required minimal amounts of metal, enhancing cost efficiency. Electrochemical studies revealed that the electrocatalytic properties of silver nanoparticles and carbon nanostructures facilitated the reduction of lamivudine in acidic conditions. The Ag-NP/m-MWCNT nanocomposite demonstrated potential for high-performance sensor development for lamivudine analysis in both neutral and acidic pH environments. The modified electrodes were characterized using SEM, XRD, CV, DPV, and LSV techniques