Carbon nanotubes modified with antimony nanoparticles in a paraffin composite electrode: Simultaneous determination of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim

A new sensor has been developed for the simultaneous detection of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and trimethoprim (TMP) using differential pulse voltammetry at a paraffin composite electrode based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) modified with antimony nanoparticles (SbNPs). The morphology of the MWCNT-SbNPs nanocomposite and the electrochemical performance of the composite electrode were characterised by field emission gun scanning electron microscopy and cyclic voltammetry, respectively. The synergistic effect of the carbon nanotubes and the SbNPs yielded LOD of 24 nmol L−1 (6.1 μg L−1) for SMX and 31 nmol L−1 (9.0 μg L−1) for TMP. Additionally, the simultaneous determination of SMX and TMP in natural water was achieved.