Highly sensitive electrochemical determination of agomelatine in biological samples based on Cu nanoparticles/Schiff base network1 modified glassy carbon electrode: DFT and experimental studies

In this study, a nanocomposite of copper nanoparticles incorporated into a covalent organic framework (Cu@SNW1) was synthesized and characterized by various approaches such as scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry, X-ray diffraction, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The interaction between the nanocomposite and agomelatine (AGM) was investigated through density functional theory computations. The results indicated that the nanocomposite displays electrocatalytic properties towards AGM and their interactions are both experimentally and thermodynamically viable. The synthesized nanocomposite was employed as an electrocatalytic modifier for the highly selective and sensitive square wave anodic stripping voltammetric detection of AGM. Experimental parameters including; pH, deposition time, modifier concentration, and deposition potential were fine-tuned using the Box-Behnken experimental design strategy. Under the optimal conditions, a linear correlation was established between the anodic peak current of AGM and its concentration across two linear ranges, 0.007–1.00 μmol L−1 and 1.00–6.50 μmol L−1. The method demonstrated a limit of detection of 0.002 μmol L−1 under the optimized parameters. Furthermore, the proposed method exhibited high sensitivity and selectivity in determining AGM in urine, serum, and saliva samples. [Display omitted] •A nanocomposite was synthesized and characterized with incorporation of Cu@ SNW1.•The nanocomposite was used for electrochemical detection of agomelatine.•Box-Behnken experimental design was used for optimizations.•The developed electrochemical sensor determined agomelatine in biological samples.