Carbon Spherical Shells Functionalized with Nitrogen as Sustainable Electrochemical Materials for Rapid Detection of Diclofenac in Saliva, Urine, Water, and Tablets

Author(s)

Gomes, Nathalia O. ; Calegaro, Marcelo L. ; Mattoso, Luiz Henrique C. ; Oliveira, Osvaldo N. ; Machado, Sergio A. S. ; Raymundo-Pereira, Paulo A.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS; v. N/A, p. 11-pg., 2024-12-02.

Abstract

We introduce a facile strategy to obtain nitrogen-functionalized carbon spherical shells (N-CSSs). These N-CSS were prepared using an eco-friendly hydrothermal synthesis with urea and an aqueous dispersion of carbon spherical shells (CSSs) produced with water and glucose green precursors. The urea/CSS mass ratio was varied to evaluate the effects of the urea amount on N-CSS functionalization and sensitivity. The N-CSS was used as a sustainable electrochemical material for rapid detection of diclofenac in saliva, urine, water, and tablets. The sensitive, selective, and ultralow cost (<US$ 0.068 per unit) sensor for diclofenac was optimal with nitrogen content at 2.6% which also had the largest specific surface area (154.55 m2 g-1) with a sensitivity of 0.12 A M-1 and limit of detection 0.358 mu M (3.58 x 10-7 M). The disposable sensor detects diclofenac in a linear working range from 0.5 to 5 mu M with high reproducibility, selectivity, and stability. Detection of diclofenac was also performed in real samples consisting of saliva, urine, and water and in solutions prepared with commercial tablets with satisfactory recoveries. The environmental impact of N-CSS was evaluated through a life cycle assessment, which indicated that N-CSS is a sustainable choice as an electrochemical sensing material. The high sensitivity, versatility, fast detection, cost-effectiveness, and easy operation of the disposable electrochemical sensor represent significant potentials for on-site, real-time, decentralized analysis, and monitoring of anti-inflammatory contaminants in biological and environmental samples. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 23/09685-8 - Development of nanostructured biosensors for the diagnosis of mental disorders biomarkers
• Grantee: Paulo Augusto Raymundo Pereira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Support Program for Fixating Young Doctors
• FAPESP's process: 16/01919-6 - Design and fabrication of nanostructured flexible devices for biomarkers detection
• Grantee: Paulo Augusto Raymundo Pereira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 20/09587-8 - Development of electrochemical devices based on carbon and silver nanostructures to detect endocrine disruptors in quantities of water supply
• Grantee: Nathalia Oezau Gomes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 23/08858-6 - Development of miniaturized and disposable (bio)sensors for monitoring zoonotic diseases
• Grantee: Nathalia Oezau Gomes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 23/07686-7 - Design and fabrication of disposable electrochemical devices based on carbon spherical shells doped with nitrogen and decorated with carbon quantum dots for the detection of pesticides in water supply samples
• Grantee: Nathalia Oezau Gomes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Technical Training Program - Technical Training
• FAPESP's process: 22/02164-0 - Development of electrochemical sensors modified with hollow carbon nanospheres doped with sulfur and nitrogen for the quantification of drugs in supply water samples
• Grantee: Sergio Antonio Spinola Machado
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/22214-6 - Towards a convergence of technologies: from sensing and biosensing to information visualization and machine learning for data analysis in clinical diagnosis
• Grantee: Osvaldo Novais de Oliveira Junior
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants