Non-enzymatic rapid sensing platform based on iron doped lead sulfide nano-interfaces for chloramphenicol

The World Health Organization urges strongly to change our needs for the prescription and use of antibiotics. This indicates the severe problem of antibiotic resistance evolving as a universal risk to the masses. Chloram-phenicol (CAP) is one such antibiotic, banned internationally, however, it is still being utilized in developing countries due to its low cost and high efficacy. Therefore, routine monitoring of CAP is necessary for humans, food items, and other sources. In this study, lead sulfide (PbS) and different metals [iron (Fe) and cobalt (Co)] doped PbS nanostructures are used for the electrochemical detection of CAP. The PbS nanoparticles and their variants are prepared by the hydrothermal method. Physical, chemical, and surface characterization are done by XRD, SEM, FTIR, PL spectroscopy, and DLS analysis. Under optimum conditions, a quantitative kinetic study for all materials is done in the concentration range of 0.001 mu M to 1.5 mu M of CAP solution. Fe-doped lead sulfide materials showed a good linear response, sensitivity, and selectivity with a corresponding limit of detection of 0.13 mu M (S/N = 3). For selectivity analysis of Fe-doped PbS, chlorfenicol, thiamphenicol, and clindamycin were used as competitors because of their structural and functional similarity with template (CAP) molecules. The electrochemical nano-sensors based on Fe-doped PbS have the potential to detect CAP even in the presence of interfering agents.