Enhanced electrochemical detection of the antibiotic levofloxacin using temperature optimized Er2MoO6 nanomaterials for environmental monitoring

Levofloxacin (LFX) is widely used in healthcare and aquaculture due to its structural stability and physicochemical properties, which allow its residues to persist in the environment and pose significant risks to human health. However, conventional sensors often lack the efficiency and sensitivity required for detecting complex molecular compounds. In this work, a temperature-optimized erbium molybdate (Er₂MoO₆)-based electrochemical sensor was developed for the highly sensitive and selective detection of LFX. The Er₂MoO₆ nanoparticles, synthesized via a hydrothermal process at two different temperatures (160 °C and 200 °C), exhibited excellent stability and reusability for sustained sensing. Notably, the sample (Er₂MoO₆-T2) synthesized at 200 °C demonstrated significant improvements in crystallinity, morphology, and surface properties. The Er₂MoO₆-T2 modified glassy carbon electrode achieved an ultra-low detection limit of 0.00146 μM, a wide linear range (0.0025–2125.5 μM), and outstanding selectivity, reproducibility, and long-term stability. Furthermore, the temperature-optimized Er₂MoO₆ nanoparticles enabled high recovery rates of 98.6 % in complex matrices such as human urine, blood, lake water, and pond water, confirming the sensor's reliability for real-world applications. This study highlights the potential of Er₂MoO₆-based electrodes as high-performance electrochemical platforms for antibiotic monitoring.