Title : Rational design of a P3HT-assisted palladium nanoparticle-modified ITO electrode for highly sensitive electrochemical sensing of cholecalciferol
Abstract:
This work presents the development of a poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT)-assisted palladium nanoparticle (PdNP)-modified indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode for the sensitive and cost-effective electrochemical detection of cholecalciferol, a key biomarker for vitamin D?. The PdNPs were synthesized via a simple chemical reduction method using P3HT as a stabilizing and conductive matrix. The resulting nanocomposite was extensively characterized through SEM, AFM, UV-Vis, FTIR, DLS, zeta potential, and TGA analyses, confirming its stability, morphology, and functionalization. The modified ITO electrode was employed for the detection of cholecalciferol, which is critically important due to the widespread prevalence of vitamin D? deficiency, particularly in Asia. Both deficient and excess levels of this biomarker can lead to serious health issues, highlighting the need for a rapid and reliable sensing method. The fabricated electrode exhibited excellent performance, with a detection limit of 24.3 nM, a quantification limit of 73.7 nM, and a wide linear range from 0.1 to 250 nM. Method validation was carried out using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), showing a high recovery of 99.9%, confirming the accuracy of the electrochemical approach. The sensor also demonstrated good stability, reproducibility, and selectivity in the presence of structurally similar biological interferents. Overall, this platform offers a promising tool for the early and affordable detection of cholecalciferol in clinical diagnostics.
