Hf-Doped Tungsten Oxide Nanorods as Electrode Materials for Electrochemical Detection of Paracetamol and Salbutamol

Abstract

1-D nanostructured metal oxides exhibit high selectivity having efficient catalytic trends toward a number of analytes. Tungsten oxide (WO3) is known for its catalytic properties, conductivity, and stability, which can be further enhanced by doping. This study deals with the synthesis of hafnium-doped tungsten oxide (Hf.WO3) nanorods via a hydrothermal process and their characterizations using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The materials developed were used to fabricate an electrochemical sensor by modifying the carbon paste electrode (CPE), which was utilized to estimate paracetamol (PAR) and salbutamol (SBM) drugs. The results showed enhanced peak current compared to the nascent CPE, indicating facile transfer of the electrons. The catalytic properties, conductive nature, and broad surface area of the prepared 1-D nanostructures have shown remarkable improvement to detect the chosen analytes. A square wave voltammetric technique was also used to estimate detection limits of 1.28 × 10–9 and 2.42 × 10–9 M for PAR and SBM, respectively. The estimation of PAR and SBM in biological samples and pharmaceutical doses of the drugs demonstrated the usefulness of the sensor device for real analytical applications.