Carbon nanotube embedded poly 1,5-diaminonapthalene modified pyrolytic graphite sensor for the determination of sulfacetamide in pharmaceutical formulations

An electrochemically conductive single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) embedded poly 1,5-diaminonapthalene (DAN) modified sensor has been developed for the determination of sulfacetamide (SFA). The surface morphology of the modified sensor has been characterized by FE-SEM, which revealed good dispersion of the carbon nanotube in polymer matrix. SFA was quantified using square wave voltammetry in phosphate buffer of pH 7.2, which acted as supporting electrolyte during analysis. The modified sensor exhibited an effective catalytic response towards the oxidation of SFA with excellent reproducibility and stability. The peak current of SFA was found to be linear in the concentration range of 0.005–1.5 mM and detection limit and sensitivity of 0.11 μM (S/N=3) and 23.977 µA mM−1, respectively were observed. The analytical utility of method was checked by determining the SFA in various pharmacological dosage forms. The results obtained from the voltammetry were validated by comparing the results with those obtained from HPLC. The proposed method is sensitive, simple, rapid and reliable and is useful for the routine analysis of SFA in pharmaceutical laboratories.