Eco-friendly synthesis of gelatin-capped bimetallic Au-Ag nanoparticles for chemiluminescence detection of anticancer raloxifene hydrochloride

This study described the utility of green analytical chemistry in the synthesis of gelatin‐capped silver, gold and bimetallic gold–silver nanoparticles (NPs). The preparation of nanoparticles was based on the reaction of silver nitrate or chlorauric acid with a 1.0 wt% aqueous gelatin solution at 50°C. The gelatin‐capped silver, gold and bimetallic NPs were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, UV–vis, X‐ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and were used to enhance a sensitive sequential injection chemiluminescence luminol–potassium ferricyanide system for determination of the anticancer drug raloxifene hydrochloride. The developed method is eco‐friendly and sensitive for chemiluminescence detection of the selected drug in its bulk powder, pharmaceutical injections and biosamples. After optimizing the conditions, a linear relationship in the range of 1.0 × 10–9 to 1.0 × 10–1 mol/L was obtained with a limit of detection of 5.0 × 10–10 mol/L and a limit of quantification of 1.0 × 10‐9 mol/L. Statistical treatment and method validation were performed based on ICH guidelines. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.