Modification of screen-printed carbon electrodes by Sb2S3/MoS2 nanostructures to design and fabrication of a new electrochemical sensor for determination of epirubicin

Original scientific paper

Authors

  • Tahere Kondori Health Promotion Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran https://orcid.org/0009-0008-2028-2478
  • Azadeh Lohrasbi Research and Technology Institute of Plant Production (RTIP), Afzalipour Research Institute (ARI), Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3269-437X
  • Somayeh Tajik Research Center of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1151-5515
  • Hadi Beitollahi Environment Department, Institute of Science and High Technology and Environmental Sciences, Graduate University of Advanced Technology, Kerman, Iran https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0669-5216

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5599/jese.3582

Keywords:

Cancer, therapeutic drug monitoring, chemotherapeutic drugs, modified electrode, nanomaterials

Abstract

In this work, a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) modified with a new Sb₂S₃/MoS₂ nanocomposite was used to create a highly sensitive electrochemical sensor for the trace-level detection of epirubicin (EPI). To improve the electron transport kinetics and electro­catalytic oxidation of EPI at the electrode surface, the Sb₂S₃/MoS₂ nanostructure was created. Cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry were used to thoroughly examine the electrochemical performance of the modified SPCE (Sb₂S₃/MoS₂/SPCE). With a low limit of detection of 0.002 µM and a broad linear concentration range of 0.005 to 220.0 µM, the sensor demonstrated exceptional analytical performance for EPI detection under ideal experimental conditions. Additionally, the sensor showed superb repeatability, high selectivity, and outstanding stability. With recovery percentages ranging from 97.1 to 103.3 %, the practical utility of the Sb₂S₃/MoS₂/SPCE was validated by measuring EPI concentrations in pharmaceutical formulations and human urine samples. These findings demonstrate the Sb₂S₃/MoS₂ nanocomposite's potential as an excellent electrocatalytic platform, offering a reliable, affordable, and quick analytical tool for therapeutic drug monitoring and clinical diagnostics.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

[1] H. Sung, J. Ferlay, R. L. Siegel, M. Laversanne, I. Soerjomataram, A. Jemal, F. Bray, Global cancer statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries, CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians 71 (2021) 209-249. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21660 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21660

[2] K. D. Miller, L. Nogueira, A. B. Mariotto, J. H. Rowland, K. R. Yabroff, C. M. Alfano, A. Jemal, J. L. Kramer, R. L. Siegel, Cancer treatment and survivorship statistics, 2019, CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians 69 (2019) 363-385. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21565. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21565

[3] B. A. Chabner Jr, T. G. Roberts, Chemotherapy and the war on cancer, Nature Reviews Cancer 5 (2005) 65-72. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrc1529 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrc1529

[4] G. Minotti, P. Menna, E. Salvatorelli, G. Cairo, L. Gianni, Anthracyclines: molecular advances and pharmacologic developments in antitumor activity and cardiotoxicity, Pharmacological Reviews 56 (2004) 185-229. https://doi.org/10.1124/pr.56.2.6 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1124/pr.56.2.6

[5] O. Tacar, P. Sriamornsak, C. R. Dass, Doxorubicin: an update on anticancer molecular action, toxicity and novel drug delivery systems, Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology 65 (2013) 157-170. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-7158.2012.01567.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-7158.2012.01567.x

[6] G. Wei, Y. Wang, G. Yang, Y. Wang, R. Ju, Recent progress in nanomedicine for enhanced cancer chemotherapy, Theranostics 19 (2021) 6370-6392. https://doi.org/10.7150/thno.57828 DOI: https://doi.org/10.7150/thno.57828

[7] M. T. Luiz, J. A. Dutra, L. D. Di Filippo, A. G. Junior, L. B. Tofani, J. M. Marchetti, M. Chorilli, Epirubicin: biological properties, analytical methods, and drug delivery nanosystems, Critical Reviews in Analytical Chemistry 53 (2023) 1080-1093. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408347.2021.2007469 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10408347.2021.2007469

[8] M. Mehmandoust, N. Erk, C. Karaman, F. Karimi, S. Salmanpour, Sensitive and selective electrochemical detection of epirubicin as anticancer drug based on nickel ferrite decorated with gold nanoparticles, Micromachines 12 (2021) 1334. https://doi.org/10.3390/mi12111334. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/mi12111334

[9] D. Gewirtz, A critical evaluation of the mechanisms of action proposed for the antitumor effects of the anthracycline antibiotics adriamycin and daunorubicin, Biochemical Pharmacology 57 (1999) 727-741. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0006-2952(98)00307-4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0006-2952(98)00307-4

[10] R. J. Cersosimo, W. K. Hong, Epirubicin: a review of the pharmacology, clinical activity, and adverse effects of an adriamycin analogue, Journal of Clinical Oncology 4 (1986) 425-439. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.1986.4.3.42 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.1986.4.3.425

[11] M. Khasraw, R. Bell, C. Dang, Epirubicin: is it like doxorubicin in breast cancer? A clinical review, The Breast 21 (2012) 142-149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.breast.2011.12.012 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.breast.2011.12.012

[12] L. Bastholt, M. Dalmark, S. B. Gjedde, P. Pfeiffer, D. Pedersen, E. Sandberg, M. Kjaer, H. T. Mouridsen, C. Rose, O. S. Nielsen, P. Jakobsen, Dose-response relationship of epirubicin in the treatment of postmenopausal patients with metastatic breast cancer: a randomized study of epirubicin at four different dose levels performed by the Danish Breast Cancer Cooperative Group, Journal of Clinical Oncology 14 (1996) 1146-1155. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.1996.14.4.1146 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.1996.14.4.1146

[13] P. Jakobsen, E. Steiness, L. Bastholt, M. Dalmark, A. Lorenzen, D. Petersen, S.B. Gjedde, E. Sandberg, C. Rose, O. S. Nielsen, H. T. Mouridsen, Multiple-dose pharmacokinetics of epirubicin at four different dose levels: studies in patients with metastatic breast cancer, Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology 28 (1991) 63-68. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00684959 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00684959

[14] N. Treder, O. Maliszewska, I. Olędzka, P. Kowalski, N. Miękus, T. Bączek, E. Bień, M.A. Krawczyk, E. Adamkiewicz-Drożynska, A. Plenis, Development and validation of a high-performance liquid chromatographic method with a fluorescence detector for the analysis of epirubicin in human urine and plasma, and its application in drug monitoring, Journal of Chromatography B 1136 (2020) 121910. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jchromb.2019.121910 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jchromb.2019.121910

[15] R. Wall, G. McMahon, J. Crown, M. Clynes, R. O’Connor, Rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry for the quantitation of epirubicin and identification of metabolites in biological samples, Talanta 72 (2007) 145-154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2006.10.010 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.talanta.2006.10.010

[16] T. Dine, C. Brunet, M. Luyckx, M. Cazin, P. Gosselin, J. L. Cazin, Rapid quantitative determination of epirubicin and its metabolites in plasma using high performance liquid chromatography and fluorescence detection, Biomedical Chromatography 4 (1990) 20-23. https://doi.org/10.1002/bmc.1130040103 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/bmc.1130040103

[17] Y. Wang, J. Xie, L. Tao, H. Tian, S. Wang, H. Ding, Simultaneous electrochemical determination of epirubicin and methotrexate in human blood using a disposable electrode modified with nano-Au/MWNTs-ZnO composites, Sensors and Actuators B 204 (2014) 360-367. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2014.07.099 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2014.07.099

[18] A. Shams, A. Yari, A new sensor consisting of Ag-MWCNT nanocomposite as the sensing element for electrochemical determination of Epirubicin, Sensors and Actuators B 286 (2019) 131-138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2019.01.128 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2019.01.128

[19] L. R. Snyder, J. J. Kirkland, J. W. Dolan, Introduction to Modern Liquid Chromatography, John Wiley & Sons; 2011. https://www.wiley.com/en-br/shop/general-chemistry/introduction-to-modern-liquid-chromatography-3rd-edition-p-9780470508183

[20] M. Ghalkhani, S. I. Kaya, N. K. Bakirhan, Y. Ozkan, S. A. Ozkan, Application of nanomaterials in development of electrochemical sensors and drug delivery systems for anticancer drugs and cancer biomarkers, Critical Reviews in Analytical Chemistry 52 (2022) 481-503. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408347.2020.1808442 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10408347.2020.1808442

[21] C. I. Justino, T. A. Rocha-Santos, A. C. Duarte, Advances in point-of-care technologies with biosensors based on carbon nanotubes, TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry 45 (2013) 24-36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trac.2012.12.012 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trac.2012.12.012

[22] J. Wang, Analytical electrochemistry. 3rd edition, A John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey, 2006. https://www.wiley.com/en-us/shop/general-chemistry/analytical-electrochemistry-3rd-edition-p-9780471790303

[23] A. J. Bard, L. R. Faulkner, Electrochemical Methods Fundamentals and Applications, 2nd edition, Wiley, New York, USA, 2001. https://www.wiley.com/en-be/shop/general-chemistry/electrochemical-methods-fundamentals-and-applications-2nd-edition-p-9781118312803

[24] Z. Taleat, A. Khoshroo, M. Mazloum-Ardakani, Screen-printed electrodes for biosensing: a review (2008-2013), Microchimica Acta 181 (2014) 865-891. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-014-1181-1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-014-1181-1

[25] A. García-Miranda Ferrari, C. W. Foster, P. J. Kelly, D. A. Brownson, C. E. Banks, Determination of the electrochemical area of screen-printed electrochemical sensing platforms, Biosensors 8 (2018) 53. https://doi.org/10.3390/bios8020053. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/bios8020053

[26] M. Li, Y.T. Li, D.W. Li, Y.T. Long, Recent developments and applications of screen-printed electrodes in environmental assays, Analytica Chimica Acta 734 (2012) 31-44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aca.2012.05.018 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aca.2012.05.018

[27] S. Fletcher, Screen‐printed carbon electrodes, in Electrochem Carbon Electrodes, R. C. Alkire, P. N. Bartlett, J. Lipkowski, Eds., Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co, 2015, 425-444. https://doi.org/10.1002/9783527697489 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/9783527697489.ch12

[28] G. Paimard, E. Ghasali, M. Baeza, Screen-printed electrodes: fabrication, modification, and biosensing applications, Chemosensors 11 (2023) 113. https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors11020113. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors11020113

[29] C. Zhu, G. Yang, H. Li, D. Du, Y. Lin, Electrochemical sensors and biosensors based on nanomaterials and nanostructures, Analytical Chemistry 87 (2015) 230-249. https://doi.org/10.1021/ac5039863 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/ac5039863

[30] H. M. Saleh, A. I. Hassan, Synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials for application in cost-effective electrochemical devices, Sustainability 15 (2023) 10891. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151410891 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su151410891

[31] C. Yang, M. E. Denno, P. Pyakurel, B. J. Venton, Recent trends in carbon nanomaterial-based electrochemical sensors for biomolecules, Analytica Chimica Acta 887 (2015) 17-37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aca.2015.05.049 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aca.2015.05.049

[32] M. Pimpilova, A brief review on methods and materials for electrode modification: electroanalytical applications towards biologically relevant compounds, Discover Electrochemistry 1 (2024)12. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44373-024-00012-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s44373-024-00012-8

[33] S. Tajik, P. Shams, H. Beitollahi, F. Garkani Nejad, Electrochemical nanosensor for the simultaneous determination of anticancer drugs epirubicin and topotecan using UiO-66-NH2/GO nanocomposite modified electrode, Biosensors 14 (2024) 229. https://doi.org/10.3390/bios14050229 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/bios14050229

[34] N. Jandaghi, S. Jahani, M. M. Foroughi, M. Kazemipour, M. Ansari, Cerium-doped flower-shaped ZnO nano-crystallites as a sensing component for simultaneous electrochemical determination of epirubicin and methotrexate, Microchimica Acta 187 (2020) 24. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-019-4016-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-019-4016-2

[35] G. Zhang, H. Liu, J. Qu, J. Li, Two-dimensional layered MoS2: rational design, properties and electrochemical applications, Energy & Environmental Science 9 (2016) 1190-209. https://doi.org/10.1039/c5ee03761a DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/C5EE03761A

[36] M. Khaleghi, M. Chaji, F. Pishbin, M. Sillanpää, S. Sheibani, A review of molybdenum disulfide-based 3D printed structures for biomedical applications, Journal of Materials Research and Technology 32 (2024) 1630-1646. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2024.08.009 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2024.08.009

[37] R. Zribi, G. Neri, Mo-based layered nanostructures for the electrochemical sensing of biomolecules, Sensors 20 (2020) 5404. https://doi.org/10.3390/s20185404. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/s20185404

[38] P. Chowdhury, A. Roy, S. Ghosh, Molybdenum disulfide nanomaterials for generating or depleting reactive oxygen species: recent development and prospects in biomedical applications, Small 21 (2025) e06450. https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202506450. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202506450

[39] E. Rudnicka, A. Mirowska, M. Skowron, B. Kurc, Electrochemical performance of MoS2, Sb2S3, and SnS anodes in sodium-ion batteries using a conductive polypyrrole-carbon black composite and an LBG sustainable binder, Journal of Materials Chemistry A 13 (2025) 26544-26554. https://doi.org/10.1039/d5ta03238e DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D5TA03238E

[40] R.K. Sahoo, S. Singh, J.M. Yun, S.H. Kwon, K.H. Kim, Sb2S3 nanoparticles anchored or encapsulated by the sulfur-doped carbon sheet for high-performance supercapacitors, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 11 (2019) 33966-33977. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.9b11028 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.9b11028

[41] Z. Yuan, Z. Zeng, W. Zhao, Y. Dong, H. Lei, B. Wang, Y. Yang, W. Sun, P. Ge, Antimony sulfide-based materials for electrochemical energy conversion and storage: advances, challenges, and prospects, ACS Applied Energy Materials 6 (2023) 12139-12165. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsaem.3c02188 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsaem.3c02188

[42] S. B. Jaffri, K. S. Ahmad, B. Makawana, R. K. Gupta, M. A. Abdel-Maksoud, A. Malik, W. H. Al-Qahtani, Amplifying energy storage and production efficiency: Utilizing BaS3: Ni2S3: Sb2S3 synthesized from dithiocarbamate precursors for enhanced and sustainable energy solutions, Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids 196 (2025) 112394. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpcs.2024.112394 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpcs.2024.112394

[43] H. Ferjani, O. E. Fayemi, T. L. Yusuf, L. Sawunyama, H. Alhussain, D. C. Onwudiwe, Synthesis and electrochemical investigation of ligand-tuned antimony sulphide nanoparticles for persulfate-driven photocatalysis, Inorganic Chemistry Communications 189 (2026) 116681- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inoche.2026.116681 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inoche.2026.116681

[44] J. Wu, S. Li, C. Cui, Z. Yan, Q. Zhou, Z. Wang, K. Li, Enhanced photoelectrochemical perfor-mance of Sb2S3/Bi2S3/Fe2O3 heterojunction via bond-induced rapid electron transfer channels, Colloids and Surfaces A 716 (2025) 136645. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfa.2025.136645 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfa.2025.136645

[45] M. M. Sreejaya, L. K. Suresh, M. Simi, M. Haridev, P. Hareesh, M. Bera, S. Antherjanam, M. Gangopadhyay, Emerging Trends and Prospects of Noble Metal-Based Nanocomposites for Electrochemical Sensing and Anticancer Activity, in Advanced Functional and Composite Materials, N. Kumar Bhoi, H. Singh, H. Sekhar Nanda, Eds., CRC Press, Boca Raton, USA, 2025, 131-166. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003664611 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003664611-6

[46] S. Shinde, O. A. Patil, S. Y. Park, S.J. Choi, O. Pawar, D. J. Joe, S. Lim, H. E. Lee, Wearable sweat glucose monitoring patches enabled by double network hydrogel-MoS2/PEDOT: PSS nanocomposite, Microchemical Journal 215 (2025) 114309. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.microc.2025.114309 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.microc.2025.114309

[47] J. Hong, S.J. Park, S. Kim, Synthesis and electrochemical characterization of nanostructured Ni-Co-MOF/graphene oxide composites as capacitor electrodes, Electrochimica Acta 311 (2019) 62-71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2019.04.121 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2019.04.121

[48] S. Tajik, R. Moghimian, H. Beitollahi, Epirubicin-sensitive detection with a CoWO4/reduced graphene oxide modified screen-printed electrode, ADMET and DMPK 13 (2025) 2733. https://doi.org/10.5599/admet.2733 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5599/admet.2733

[49] S. J. Marje, H. B. Tyagaraj, S. K. Hwang, K. S. Ranjith, E. Alhajri, N. R. Chodankar, Y. S. Hua, Y. K. Han, Extrinsic pseudocapacitive ultrathin 2D MoS2 nanoflakes clamped on 1D Sb2S3 nanorods: an advanced heterostructured anode for high-energy ammonium ion hybrid capacitors, Journal of Materials Chemistry A 12 (2024) 7587-7597. https://doi.org/10.1039/d4ta00262h DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D4TA00262H

Downloads

Published

12-10-2026

Issue

Section

Electroanalytical chemistry

How to Cite

Modification of screen-printed carbon electrodes by Sb2S3/MoS2 nanostructures to design and fabrication of a new electrochemical sensor for determination of epirubicin: Original scientific paper. (2026). Journal of Electrochemical Science and Engineering, 16(SI), Article 3582. https://doi.org/10.5599/jese.3582

Most read articles by the same author(s)

1 2 > >>