Highly sensitive manganese oxide/hexagonal boron nitride nanocomposite: An efficient electrocatalyst for the detection of anti-cancer drug flutamide

Flutamide (FLT) is a non-steroidal anti-androgen drug mainly used to treat prostate cancer. However, the overdosage of FLT may cause severe side effects. Therefore, it is highly desirable and holds great importance to develop a simple, selective, and sensitive platform for anticancer drug detection. In this work, manganese oxide supported on hexagonal boron nitride (Mn2O3@h-BN) nanocomposite was achieved via co-precipitation method followed by solvent evaporation technique, and their effective electroanalytical sensing towards FLT was studied. The structural and morphological analysis of as-prepared nanocomposite were characterized using various analytical techniques like X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, their electrical and electrochemical behaviour were examined using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and differential pulse voltammetry techniques. Compared to other modified electrodes, the Mn2O3@h-BN modified electrode displayed a higher cathodic current of -22.30 mu A. Herein, the Mn2O3, with the support of h-BN played a dynamic role throughout the electrode surface with a synergic effect resulting in a cumulative increase of electrocatalytic activity. Under the optimized conditions, Mn2O3@h-BN modified electrode revealed a comprehensive linear range from 0.08 to 1940 mu M and the lowest detection limit of (LoD) 0.008 mu M with a sensitivity of 3.69 mu A mu M-1 cm(-2). The fabricated electrode proved to be a promising electrocatalyst through selective anti-interference ability, commendable repeatability, reproducibility, and high stability. Finally, the proposed electrode was applied for the determination of FLT in urine samples with acceptable recovery values from 93 to 102%.

Automated summary

Flutamide (FLT) is a non-steroidal anti-androgen drug mainly used to treat prostate cancer. This study successfully developed a simple, selective, and sensitive electroanalytical sensing platform for FLT detection using manganese oxide supported on hexagonal boron nitride nanocomposite. The modified electrode exhibited promising electrocatalytic activity with a wide linear range, low detection limit, and high sensitivity, making it a potential tool for FLT determination in urine samples.