Preparation of a ZnO nanoparticles/multiwalled carbon nanotubes/carbon paste electrode as a sensitive tool for capecitabine determination in real samples

Abstract

The present study describes the fabrication of a sensitive electrochemical sensor for the determination of capecitabine (Cap). The zinc oxide nanoparticles/multiwalled carbon nanotubes (ZnO/MWCNT) modified carbon paste electrode (CPE) is proposed as a novel electrocatalytic system for the reduction of Cap. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction measurements (XRD) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) were used to characterize the performance and microstructure of the sensor. The electrochemical reduction of Cap was investigated at the ZnO/MWCNTs/CPE by the use of DPV. The developed electrode exhibited excellent electrochemical activity towards the electrochemical reduction of Cap. The sensor shows a linear range from 0.10 μmol L⁻¹ to 100.00 μmol L⁻¹ with a detection limit of 0.03 μmol L⁻¹ at a signal to noise ratio of 3. The modified electrode has excellent analytical performance and can be successfully applied in the determination of Cap in biological systems.