Herein, we report
on the electrochemical determination of velpatasvir
(VLP) as the main constituent of Epclusa, a SARS-COV-2 and anti-hepatitis
C virus (HCV) agent, using a novel metal–organic framework
(MOF). The NH2-MIL-53(Al) MOF was successfully modified
with 5-bromo-salicylaldehyde to synthesize 5-BSA=N-MIL-53(Al) MOF.
The synthesized MOF has been characterized using Fourier transform
infrared spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron
microscopy, cyclic voltammetry, square wave voltammetry, and electrochemical
impedance spectroscopy. The modified MOF showed higher electrochemical
activity and response than the bare NH2-MIL-53(Al) MOF.
Compared to the bare carbon paste electrode (CPE), the 5-BSA=N-MIL-53(Al)/CPE
platform was shown to enhance the electrochemical oxidation and detection
of the anti-SARS-COV-2 and anti-HCV agent. Under optimized conditions,
the 5-BSA=N-MIL-53(Al)/CPE platform showed a linear range of 1.11
× 10–6 to 1.11 × 10–7 and 1.11 × 10–7 to 25.97 × 10–6 M Britton–Robinson buffer (pH 7) with a detection limit and
limit of quantification of 8.776 × 10–9 and
2.924 × 10–8 M, respectively. Repeatability,
storage stability, and reproducibility in addition to selectivity
studies and interference studies were conducted to illustrate the
superiority of the electrode material. The study also included a highly
accurate platform for the determination of VLP concentrations in both
urine and plasma samples with reasonable recovery.