Highly sensitive and selective electrochemical detection of antipsychotic drug chlorpromazine in biological samples based on poly-N-isopropylacrylamide microgel

Abstract Nowadays, smart polymers have been received a great attention in biomedical applications, especially in sensors because of their novel and peculiar properties. In this study, sphere-like structure of poly-N-isopropylacrylamide (PNIPAM) microgel was prepared via one-step precipitation polymerization method. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy experiment showed that the PNIPAM microgel could enhance the electrochemical performance of the electrodes, as a consequence of the large surface area presented by the PNIPAM. The PNIPAM microgel modified glassy carbon electrode (PNIPAM microgel modified GCE) exhibited an enhanced electrocatalytic activity towards antipsychotic drug chlorpromazine (CPZ) detection. The electrochemical response of CPZ using PNIPAM microgel modified GCE was linear over the range from 0.05 to 7999 µM. The sensitivity and limit of detection were 0.084 µAµM −1 cm −2 and 0.016 µM, respectively. In addition, the sensor is highly sensitive, selective and durable even in the presence of potentially interfering electroactive compounds. The good analytical performance of the PNIPAM microgel modified GCE was confirmed for determining trace level CPZ in human serum and urine samples with satisfactory results.