Highly sensitive electrochemical determination of cariprazine using a novel Ti3C2@CoAl2O4 nanocomposite: application to pharmaceutical and biological sample analysis

Cariprazine (CAR) is an atypical antipsychotic drug used for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. This study presents the development of a novel, highly sensitive electrochemical sensor based on a Ti₃C₂@CoAl₂O₂ nanocomposite-modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) for the detection of CAR in pharmaceutical and biological samples. The innovative Ti₃C₂@CoAl₂O₂ composite, synthesized and characterized through Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis, revealed exceptional structural integrity, morphology, composition, and thermal stability. The electrochemical properties of the modified electrode were evaluated using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, demonstrating enhanced conductivity, an increased electroactive surface area, and reduced charge transfer resistance compared to the bare GCE. Differential pulse voltammetry was employed for CAR detection under optimized conditions, yielding a linear range of 0.2-5.6 μM with a regression equation I_pa (μA) = 0.133 C_CAR (μM) + 0.09 (R² = 0.993). The limit of detection and limit of quantification were determined as 0.02 µM and 0.07 µM, respectively, highlighting the sensor's high sensitivity. The modified electrode exhibited excellent repeatability with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of = 2.9% and reproducibility (RSD = 2.8%), along with strong selectivity against common interfering substances. The sensor was successfully applied to human blood serum, urine, and CAR tablets, achieving high recovery values (98.52-103.94%), confirming its reliability for real-sample analysis. These findings underline the novelty and potential of the Ti₃C₂@CoAl₂O₂-modified GCE as a powerful tool for the accurate, selective, and sensitive determination of CAR in clinical and pharmaceutical applications.