The fabrication of an MoS2 QD–AuNP modified screen-printed electrode for the improved electrochemical detection of cefixime

Abstract

Herein, we report a voltammetric method for the nanomolar detection of cefixime, a third-generation antibiotic. The determination of cefixime is validated on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) as well as on a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE). In the present study, we have reported a facile "one step simple hydrothermal synthesis" of MoS₂ quantum dots and with the oxidation of aurochloric acid for the further formation of an MoS₂ QD–AuNP composite. The as-synthesized nanocomposite was characterized via UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, XRD, TEM and EDX techniques, and further applied in the modification of working electrodes, showing excellent electroactivity. The sensing of cefixime was done via cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry techniques. The presence of the only anodic peak in the voltammogram reveals the irreversible oxidation of cefixime in the potential range of about 1.3 ± 0.1 V vs. Ag/AgCl. The study was also performed at different scan rates, which indicate a diffusion-controlled mechanism. The proposed cefixime sensor showed a linear response in the concentration range of 0.33–90.82 μM (at S/N = 3) with a limit of detection (LOD) of 3.9–4.5 nm. The electrochemical sensitivity is calculated as 8.63 μA μM⁻¹ cm⁻² and 7.07 μA μM⁻¹ cm⁻² in buffer and pharmaceutical formulation (commercially available cefixime tablet), respectively. The effects of several interferents were also investigated. The proposed sensor is effectively used for estimating cefixime in phosphate buffer and the commercially available cefixime tablets with no cross-reactivity or matrix effects and shows a promising prospect for real applications.