AgBiS2 embedded activated graphene nanolayer for sensing azathioprine in biospecimens

• Published in: Colloids and surfaces. A, Physicochemical and engineering aspects Physicochemical and engineering aspects, 2024-03, Vol.685, p.133243, Article 133243
• Main Authors: Alagumalai, Krishnapandi, Sivakumar, Mani, Kim, Seong-Cheol, Babulal, Sivakumar Musuvadhi, Ouladsmane, Mohamed
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activated graphene nanolayer; Ball-milling; Electrochemical approach; Immunosuppresive drug; Silver bismuth sulfide
• ISSN: 0927-7757; 1873-4359
• DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2024.133243

The residues of drugs from the pharmaceutical industry and hospital waste have serious impacts on the environment and public health due to their high toxicity and non-biodegradability. Sensitively detecting drugs residues in environmental and pharmaceutical contexts is crucial. In this work, silver bismuth sulfide (AgBiS2) acacia-like nanoflowers were synthesized via an in-situ hydrothermal process. The activated graphene (AGr) nanolayer was prepared using an environmentally friendly dry ball-milling method, achieving a high yield of up to 95%. Furthermore, AgBiS2 was reinforced with AGr using the ultrasonication method. The composite formation and morphological structure of the AgBiS2/AGr composite were analyzed using various analytical and spectroscopic techniques, including XRD, XPS, FE-SEM, and TEM. The AgBiS2/AGr composite-modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) exhibited irreversible cathodic currents for the detection of azathioprine (AZP) through both cyclic voltammetry (CV) and amperometric techniques (i-t). Under optimized conditions, the developed AZP sensing demonstrated a linear range of 20 nm to 17.44 µM, with a limit of detection (LOD = 0.007 µM), a sensitivity of 5.7142 µA µM−1cm−2, and high specificity. Besides, the proposed sensor for the detection of AZP in biological samples (blood and urine) achieving satisfactory recovery rates. [Display omitted]