Copper nanoparticles applied to the preconcentration and electrochemical determination of β-adrenergic agonist: An efficient tool for the control of meat production, Talanta, http://dx.doi.org/ 10. 1016/j.talanta.2014.12.026 This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting galley proof before it is published in its final citable form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.
AbstractA novel method for preconcentration and electrochemical detection of zinterol in bovine urine samples was developed. In order to improve the limit of detection, the surface of a screenprinted carbon electrode was modified with electrodeposited metal copper nanoparticles. The experimental electrodeposition optimization was performed using a central composite design (CCD), involving the variables: precursor concentration, potential and time applied. Copper nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Mesoporous 2 shuttle-like copper oxide nanoparticles were used for the preconcentration step to avoid interferences with many compounds present in the sample matrix. The optimal working conditions for the preconcentration approach were found by means of both two-level fractional factorial and CCD designs. The obtained enhancement factor for a sample volume of 30 mL was 35 fold. The calibration curve showed linearity between 0.5-45 ng mL -1 and the limit of detection was 0.16 ng mL -1 . The intra and inter assay coefficients of variability were below 4% and 5%; respectively.