3D spongy graphene-modified screen-printed sensors for the voltammetric determination of the narcotic drug codeine

Adenine-functionalized spongy graphene (FSG) composite, fabricated via a facile and green synthetic method, has been explored as a potential electrocatalyst toward the electroanalytical sensing of codeine phosphate (COD). The synthesized composite is characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, UV−vis absorption spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and thermogravimetric analysis. The FSG was electrically wired via modification upon screen-printed (macro electrode) sensors, which behave as a hybrid electrode material for the sensitive and selective codeine phosphate (COD) determination in the presence of paracetamol (PAR) and caffeine (CAF). The FSG- modified sensor showed an excellent electrocatalytic response towards the sensing of COD with a wide linear response range of 2.0 × 10−8–2.0 × 10−4M and a detection limit (LOD) of 5.8 × 10−9M, indicating its potential for the sensing of COD in clinical samples and pharmaceutical formulations. [Display omitted] •3D spongy graphene modified screen-printed sensors were fabricated via a green route.•Adenine-functionalized graphene is a promising sensing material for pharmaceutical formulations.•The sensor showed a wide linear response range of 2.0 × 10−8–2.0 × 10−4M.•The sensor showed a detection limit of 5.8 × 10−9M towards the sensing of codeine.