Multi-template molecularly imprinted polymer hybrid nanoparticles for selective analysis of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics in biological and pharmaceutical samples

The multi-template molecularly imprinted polymers reinforced with hybrid oxide nanoparticles were developed for the selective separation and determination of the trace level of naproxen (NPX), methocarbamol (MTH), and omeprazole (OMZ) simultaneously from biological and pharmaceutical samples. The polymers were constructed by magnetic core@shell molecularly imprinted polymer nanocomposite (Fe₃O₄/ZnO/CuO/MWCNT@MIP). An electrochemical sensor has been fabricated for this purpose. Fe₃O₄/ZnO/CuO/MWCNT nanocomposite was introduced to improve the electron transport capability and increase the sensor surface area, as well as enhance the electronic conductivity. The triple-template MIP-coated layer provides simultaneous selective identification of three analytes by using [Fe (CN)₆]³⁻/⁴⁻as the redox probe. Electrochemical behavior of MTH, NPX, and OMZ on the modified electrode (Fe₃O₄/ZnO/CuO/MWCNT@MIP) by various techniques such as cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry, and chronoamperometry was examined. The morphology of the modified and unmodified carbon paste electrodes was performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). The average crystal size for fabricated nanoparticles obtained by calculating the X-ray diffraction technique was 17 nm in the Scherer method. The particle size which was determined by SEM was 48 nm. Some electrochemical parameters such as the diffusion coefficient and electron transfer coefficient were determined. The effect of many variables such as the pH and scan rate was also investigated. Under optimal conditions, the sensor is designed in the linear range 5.0 nM-100 μM and 5.0 nM-100 μM and 1.0 nM-130 μM with a detection limit of 1.5 nM, 1.0 nM, and 0.7 nM for measurement OMZ, NPX, and MTH, respectively. The relative standard deviation (RSD) of the five measurements was 1.21%, 2.23%, and 2.56% for NPX, MTH, and OMZ. Finally, the designed sensor was successfully used for simultaneous detection of target analytes in the real samples; tablets, water samples, and biological samples.