Phosphorus-doped graphene-based electrochemical sensor for sensitive detection of acetaminophen

Phosphorus-doped graphene (P-RGO) was synthesized and employed as active electrode material to construct electrochemical sensor for acetaminophen (AP). The P-RGO coated glass carbon electrode (P-RGO/GCE) showed an excellent electrocatalytic activity for the oxidation of AP, resulted from highly enhanced electrochemical conductivity and accelerated electron transfer. The experimental conditions for AP detection were optimized, and under the optimal condition, a linear relationship between current intensity and concentration of AP was obtained in the range of 1.5–120 μM with a detection limit of 0.36 μM (S/N = 3). The developed sensor showed high selectivity for AP in the presence of various common species, excellent reproducibility and stability. The present sensor was also successfully applied for AP detection in pharmaceutical tablet samples. [Display omitted] Phosphorus-doped graphene (P-RGO) was synthesized and employed as active electrode material to construct electrochemical sensor for acetaminophen detection in pharmaceutical tablet. •Phosphorus-doped graphene (P-RGO) was facilely fabricated by a hydrothermal reduction approach.•An effective electrochemical sensor for acetaminophen was developed based on P-RGO materials.•The sensor exhibited enhanced sensitivity, excellent anti-interference ability, reproducibility, and stability.•Satisfying recovery results for acetaminophen detection in real Pharmaceutical tablet samples were achieved.