A sensing platform based on Copper (I) oxide nanocubes and multi-walled carbon nanotubes for electrochemical detection of Gefitinib anticancer drug

Given the prevalence of various cancers, designing efficient electrochemical sensors for detection of anticancer drugs is of great importance. For this purpose, an electrochemical sensor was proposed based on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and Copper (I) oxide (Cu 2 O) nanocubes to detect Gefitinib (GFT) drug in this study. It is an anticancer drug for the treatment of the lung cancer. The designed platform indicated acceptable electrocatalytic performance toward GFT. Herein, Cu 2 O nanocubes were synthesized via a cheap and simple method and it was employed as modifier along MWCNTs for the GCE modification. Electrochemical data were taken via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The modified GCE illustrated a linear range from 0.005 to 2500 nM with a low detection limit (LOD) as 0.0016 nM, limit of quantification (LOQ) as 0.0058 nM, and the sensitivity 0.00029 μA/nM. The introduced sensor indicated suitable selectivity, stability, repeatability, and reproducibility. Besides, the developed sensor was successfully applied to detect GFT in real sample. Finally, the modified GCE performance was compared with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method as reference method. • The Cu 2 O nanocube was synthesized by an easy and cheap method. • Cu 2 O nanocube and MWCNTs were employed as platform to modify of electrode surface. • Cu 2 O/MWCNTs/GCE was used to detect Gefitinib drug with good performance. • The sensor was successfully applied for detection Gefitinib in real sample.