The electrochemical behaviors of tetrahydropalmatine at a nickel nanoparticles/sulfonated graphene sheets modified glassy carbon electrode

A novel electrochemical sensor was designed to determine tetrahydropalmatine (THP) by using a nickel nanoparticles deposited on sulfonated graphene sheets-modified glassy carbon electrode (NiNPs/SGS/GCE). The components and morphological properties of the NiNPs/SGS nanocomposites were investigated by scanning electron microscopy. The anodic peak current (Ipa) of THP at the GCE modified with NiNPs/SGS was much higher than those at the bare GCE and SGS/GCE due to the enhanced effect of the modified nanomaterials. Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) disclosed a good linear relationship between Ipa and concentrations of THP (0.50–20.0 μM), with a limit of detection of 0.17 μM. Finally, the modified electrode was successfully applied for the determination of THP in Yuanhu Zhitong capsules.