Detection of doxorubicin from aqueous solution using ZnO/BaTiO₃-based nanocomposites

Doxorubicin (DOX) is widely used as an anthracycline chemotherapeutic agent in various cancer treatments. Due to its persistence and potential environmental impact, the development of new methods for its detection is of great importance. Most often, spectrophotometric and chromatographic techniques are employed for DOX detection, though in recent years electrochemical methods have been increasingly investigated as promising alternatives. In this work, we studied ZnO/BaTiO3 and ZnO/BaTi0.95Sn0.05O3 nanocomposites as modifiers of glassy carbon electrodes for the electrochemical detection of DOX. The nanocomposite as the active material, carbon black as a conductive additive, and Nafion as a binder were mixed and applied to the glassy carbon electrode surface. The electrolyte was phosphate buffer solution (pH=7), and DOX was added in appropriate portions. Electrochemical measurements were performed using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) in a three-electrode cell consisting of a modified glassy carbon working electrode, a platinum counter electrode, and a saturated calomel reference electrode. Both materials showed a welldefined oxidation peak corresponding to the redox process of DOX in both CV and DPV measurements. The limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), dynamic range, and sensitivity were evaluated. The results indicate that ZnO/BaTiO3 and ZnO/BaTi0.95Sn0.05O3 nanocomposites may be used for DOX detection in aqueous solutions using electrochemical methods such as CV and DPV.