Adsorption and desorption of doxorubicin on oxidized carbon nanotubes

► Oxidized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (O-MWCNTs) had a huge adsorption capacity for doxorubicin (DOX). ► The adsorption of DOX on O-MWCNTs was very slow, longer incubation time meant the higher adsorption capacity. ► The desorption of DOX from O-MWCNTs was more efficient at lower pH and in the presence of serum proteins, and affected by the adsorption incubation time. ► Careful designing the functional group and adsorption time would benefit the loading and releasing of drugs.