Research paperPhotoelectrochemical aptasensor based on CdTe quantum dots-single walled carbon nanohorns for the sensitive detection of streptomycin

•CdTe-SWCNHs nanocomposite was prepared by one-pot method.•The CdTe-SWCNHs shows amplified PEC performance and good stability.•The PEC aptasensor exhibits high selectivity and sensitivity toward streptomycin.

A novel CdTe quantum dots-single walled carbon nanohorns (CdTe-SWCNHs) nanocomposite was synthesized via a one-pot method for photoelectrochemical (PEC) aptasensing detection of streptomycin (STR). The CdTe-SWCNHs nanocomposite shows 3.2-times amplified PEC activity in comparison with CdTe quantum dots (QDs). By using aptamers as recognition element and CdTe-SWCNHs as photoactive species, a PEC aptasensor was fabricated for the high sensitive and selective detection of STR. Under the optimized conditions, the as-fabricated PEC aptamer sensor exhibits a linear response ranging from 0.1 nM (0.15 μg kg−1) to 50 nM (72.85 μg kg−1) with a detection limit (S/N = 3) of 0.033 nM (0.05 μg kg−1). The aptasensor has successfully applied for the determination of streptomycin in honey sample, which provides a new method for detection of streptomycin.

Graphical abstractA novel photoelectrochemical aptasensor based on CdTe quantum dots-single walled carbon nanohorns nanocomposite was constructed for streptomycin detection.Download high-res image (124KB)Download full-size image