A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Masters of Science in Chemistry/Physical Chemistry

Abstract

In this study the electrochemical property of paracetamol (PAR) was investigated at a glassy carbon electrode and activated glassy carbon electrode. Cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry were used as diagnostic techniques in the determination of paracetamol. The activated glassy carbon electrode was prepared by activating 200 s in a time base technique at a potential of 1750 mV. The AGCE exhibited excellent electro-catalytic behaviour towards PAR which confirmed by the enhancement of both peak currents peak potential shifts to less positive values by (13 mV) in comparison with GCE. The electrode process of paracetamol was studied and some the experimental parameters which affect the response paracetamol, such as pH, effect of PAR concentration and scan rate on AGC electrode. The analysis of cyclic voltammogram gave fundamental electrochemical parameters including electron transfer coefficient () and the heterogeneous rate constant (ks). The variation of scan rate study shows that the system undergoes adsorption controlled process. The equation of the calibration curve was found to be: Ip ( A) =0.429C (M) + 6.43, R2=0.993. The LOD and LOQ for this study were determined to be 8×10-8 mol L-1 and 2.6×10-7mol L-1 respectively. The degree of recovery for paracetamol was calculated by adding the standard solution of PAR to paracetamol tablets and the results were found to be 105%. The effects of some interfering substances in the determination of paracetamol were also studied and their interferences were found to be negligible which provided the selectivity of the activated electrode