Electrochemical aptasensor based on gold nanoparticle decorated Ti3C2Tx nanocomposites for chloramphenicol detection

Using gold (Au) nanoparticle decorated Ti3C2Tx (Ti3C2Tx-Au) nanocomposites, a highly sensitive electrochemical aptasensor for the effective detection of chloramphenicol has been developed. As a two-dimensional layered material, the prepared composite not only provides high surface area, good conductivity, and thermal stability but also substantial binding sites for aptamers with high sensitivity and selectivity for the accurate determination of chloramphenicol. Interestingly, the conductivity and active sites were enhanced by freeze-drying Ti3C2Tx and in situ formation of Ti3C2Tx-Au nanocomposite. The fabricated aptasensor exhibited a very low detection limit (S/N = 3) of 13.18 fg mL(-1) with a linear range of 1 similar to 700 pg mL(-1) and correlation coefficient of 0.9992. The fabricated aptasensor demonstrated an excellent reproducibility, repeatability, long-term stability, and high selectivity toward chloramphenicol. Further, the aptasensor was applied to real milk samples, and the recoveries were ranged from 98.93 to 101.93%.

Automated summary

A highly sensitive electrochemical aptasensor based on gold nanoparticle decorated Ti3C2Tx nanocomposites was developed for the detection of chloramphenicol. The prepared composite exhibited high surface area, good conductivity, and thermal stability, and provided abundant binding sites for aptamers, resulting in high sensitivity and selectivity for chloramphenicol determination. The aptasensor showed a low detection limit of 13.18 fg mL(-1), a linear range of 1 to 700 pg mL(-1), and excellent reproducibility, stability, and selectivity. Real milk samples were successfully analyzed with recoveries ranging from 98.93% to 101.93%.