Synthesis and characterization of Ba_0.5Co_0.5Fe₂O₄ nanoparticle ferrites: application as electrochemical sensor for ciprofloxacin

Spinel structured Ba_0.5Co_0.5Fe₂O₄ nanoparticles were synthesized using glycol thermal technique. The spinel phase structure was confirmed by means of X-ray powder diffraction. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and high-resolution scanning electron microscopy were used to investigate the morphology of the sample. The Brunauer–Emmet–Teller surface area measurement revealed high surface area of 137 m²/g of the sample. Barrett–Joyner–Halenda measurement confirmed the mesoporous character of the synthesized nanoparticles. Further, the Ba_0.5Co_0.5Fe₂O₄ nanoparticles were used to develop a highly sensitive sensor for voltammetric determination of ciprofloxacin. The Ba_0.5Co_0.5Fe₂O₄ nanoparticles modified electrode displayed excellent electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of ciprofloxacin in a linear concentration range from 1.0 × 10⁻⁸ to 0.5 × 10⁻³ M and a detection limit of 5.8 nM. Possible interference by various excipients usually present in pharmaceutical formulations was evaluated. The feasibility of the proposed method was successfully evaluated in pharmaceutical formulations, suggesting potential application of the modified electrode as an electrochemical sensor for ciprofloxacin.