Rational design of an Al-MOF/MoS2 nanocomposite: a reliable electrochemical platform for sulfamethazine detection

Abstract

The widespread use and improper disposal of antibiotics pose serious environmental and public health risks largely due to their ecotoxicity and bacterial resistance. In this study, we present an aluminum metal–organic framework/molybdenum disulfide (Al-MOF/MoS₂) nanocomposite modified on the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) as a highly sensitive electrochemical sensor for antibiotic detection of sulfamethazine (SMZ). The Al-MOF/MoS₂/GCE demonstrates an enhanced oxidation current signal for the detection of SMZ in the neutral pH environment. The developed electrochemical sensor displays the combined advantages of a wide linear response range (0.01–85.5 μM & 85.5–225 μM), an ultra-low limit of detection (0.002 μM), exceptional sensitivity (0.622 μA μM⁻¹ cm⁻²), high selectivity (<±5%), good repeatability (3.57%), and robust reproducibility (2.2%) for SMZ detection. This superior detection performance can be attributed to the increase in large effective surface area, enhanced electrical conductivity, improved electrocatalytic activity, and their synergistic effects. The practical applicability of the Al-MOF/MoS₂/GCE is validated through electrochemical analysis of real samples, including river water, tap water, and milk. These findings highlight the promising prospects of the Al-MOF/MoS₂-based electrochemical sensor as a rapid and accurate platform for detecting antibiotic contamination in diverse real-world settings.