Reduced graphene oxide stabilized copper nanoparticles for electrochemical sensing of acyclovir using rosemary extract

In this work, in situ green synthesis of reduced graphene oxide decorated copper nanoparticles (RGO-CuNPs) and copper nanoparticles (Cu NPs) was done via the reduction of aqueous Cu2+ of Cu (0) by using rosemary leaf extract. The use of rosemary leaf extract is economic, easy access and friendly environment. Flavonoids in rosemary leaves work as a reducing and fixing agent. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transformed infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used for characterizing of the morphology and structure of the Cu NPs and Cu/RGO nanocomposite. Also, the synthesized Cu NPs and Cu/ RGO nanocomposite were successfully used to modification of a carbon paste electrode. Two methods for surveying of the oxidation reaction were cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry The altered electrode showed high catalytic activity toward electro-oxidation of the acyclovir with a cyclic mediation electron-transfer process. The electrocatalytic activity of the Cu/ RGO- CPE was greater than that of the Cu – CPE. This is mainly due to the really large surface area and higher electrical and ionic conductivity of Cu/ RGO. The amperometric procedure was successfully progressed for the determination of the catalytic rate constant and diffusion coefficient of the acyclovir. The rate constant of the electrocatalytic oxidation of acyclovir was 1.8 ± 0.03×105 cm3mol−1s−1 and the electron-transfer coefficient was 4± 0.05 ×10–6 cm2 s–1. Furthermore, the synthesized Cu NPs and Cu/ RGO nanocomposite by this way are completely durable and can be guarded below an inert atmosphere for too many months.