Semiconductor Nanocomposites-Based Photoelectrochemical Aptamer Sensors for Pharmaceuticals Detection

Development of sensors for pharmaceuticals has become very essential. This is due to the need to monitor the release and toxicological effects of pharmaceuticals into the environment. In this work, the authors explored bismuth sulphide (Bi2S3) nanorods and graphene as photoactive material for constructing a photoelectrochemical (PEC) aptasensor for sulfadimethoxine (SDM) detection, exhibiting high sensitivity, stability, and reproducibility. In another experiment, Mo-doped BiVO4 (Mo-BiVO4) and graphene nanocomposites were explored as photoactive material to construct a visible light-driven photoelectrochemical biosensor. Graphene in the nanocomposites was very essential in immobilizing streptomycin aptamer through π-π stacking interaction. Finally, graphene doped CdS (GR-CdS) synthesized via one pot hydrothermal technique and gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) were employed to construct a PEC aptasensor for diclofenac (DCF).