On-Site Electrochemical Sensor for Carbamazepine Monitoring in Aquatic Environments

This work analyzes the detection of carbamazepine (CBZ), a commonly used anticonvulsant medication that exhibits extended persistence in aquatic habitats, by the application of advanced sensor technologies. Owing to its chemical stability, CBZ is resistant to natural degradation, posing significant ecological risks in aquatic environments. Conventional techniques for CBZ detection, such as high-performance liquid chromatography and spectrophotometry, require intricate laboratory configurations and significant sample preparation, restricting their use for fast in situ monitoring. To tackle these issues, we created a portable electrochemical sensor using screen-printed electrodes on a flexible polyester-based substrate. Under optimized conditions, the sensor demonstrated high sensitivity in a linear detection range from 1 to 20 μM with a detection limit of 0.8 μM by differential pulse voltammetry technique. Recovery range was found to be between 93% and 107%, which further confirmed reliability, showing consistency in CBZ detection across varied levels in wastewater. Preliminary results on continuous measurements have been also carried out, demonstrating a promising application for prolonged analysis in real-settings.