Ultrasonic assisted functionalization of MWCNT and synergistic electrocatalytic effect of nano-hydroxyapatite incorporated MWCNT-chitosan scaffolds for sensing of nitrofurantoin.

In the present work, we report the fabrication of stable composite of chitosan hydrogels (CHI) on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) using a simple ultrasonic-assisted method. Also, rod-like hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HA NPs) were synthesised using a hydrothermal route and were incorporated into the highly conductive MWCNT-CHI scaffolds using an ultrasonication method. The functionalization of MWCNT and preparation of HA NPs on MWCNT-CHI nanocomposite were done using the sonication over the frequency of 37 kHz with the ultrasonic power capable of 150 W (Elmasonic Easy 60H bath sonicator). The resulting hybrid HA NPs/MWCNT-CHI nanocomposites have an excellent surface area and high surface to volume ratio, which leads to the sensitive detection of nitrofurantoin than pristine MWCNT and HA NPs. The complete elemental and morphological analyses of the HA NPs/MWCNT-CHI nanocomposites were characterised by XRD, FTIR, RAMAN, FESEM, TEM, EDX, and elemental mapping techniques. Electrochemical analysis of the HA NPs/MWCNT-CHI nanocomposites was carried out by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and amperometry methods. The modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) of HA NPs/MWCNT-CHI nanocomposites exhibit the nitrofurantoin detection activity at the linear range of 0.005-982.1 µM with the detection limit of 1.3 nM. The synergistic electrocatalytic activity of HA NPs/MWCNT-CHI nanocomposites modified GCE is correlated to the sensitivity of 0.16 µAµM cm with excellent precision and accuracy towards the sensing of nitrofurantoin.