Facile synthesis of nickel-decorated multidimensional carbon nanofibers via oxygen plasma activation for non-enzymatic acetaminophen sensing

Acetaminophen (AMP), the most commonly used drug for pain and fever, has very low side effects. However, due to its widespread use, emissions from manufacturing plants and daily life adversely affect various animals and plants, so it is necessary to precisely monitor the concentration. This research suggests the manufacture of composite carbon nanofibers with carbon nanotubes containing nickel particles (Ni–CNT@CNF), and applying the material as an electrochemical sensor electrode material that is capable of measuring AMP. In detail, an oxygen functional group is introduced into the PVP layer by using an O2 vacuum plasma process in a polymer fiber formed by electrospinning a mixed solution of PAN and a PVP including a nickel precursor. The carbon nanotubes are then induced to grow by the catalytic reaction of nickel and decomposed PVP during the carbonization. The Ni–CNT@CNF-based sensor electrode has a low detection limit (0.5 nM), and a wide detection range of (1 nM–70 μM) for AMP molecules. In addition, comparison of sensitivity with other biologically active metabolites demonstrated the excellent selectivity of the sensor electrode.