PEDOT wrapped biomimetic recognition system for selective determination of carcinogenic phenacetin content in drug samples

A molecular imprinted polymeric (MIP) recognition system comprising of PEDOT swaddled CoWO4 nanocapsules has been developed for the electrochemical detection of carcinogenic phenacetin drug. Facile hydrothermal route was employed to synthesize CoWO4 whereas, EDOT was wrapped around under chemical polymerization at room temperature. A series of characterizations revealed that electrostatic interactions generated between thiophene sulfur of PEDOT and metal atoms of CoWO4 have prompted the homogeneously wrapped molecularly imprinted nanocomposite. The obtained peak potential plotted against the CV scan rate revealed involvement of 2 electrons in the electroxidation detection process of phenacetin. The values of charge transfer coefficient alpha (0.69) and charge transfer rate constant ks (2.24 s-1) at electrode-electrolyte interface during the detection procedure were also evaluated. The nanoarchitecture of the designed MIP exhibited abundant imprinted sites to selectively bind the template molecule in terms of shape, size and functionalities resulted in significant augmentation in sensitivity (0.14 mu A nM-1 cm-2) and a very low detection limit (0.091 nM). Phenacetin content in homeopathic and allopathic drug samples were successfully quantified with more than 95 % accuracy by employing the MIP modified electrode. The present research introduces new possibilities for identification of carcinogenic phenacetin used as adulterants in various narcotic drug samples.