A WS2/CNF Nanocomposite for Electrochemical Sensing Applications

It is well recognized that antimicrobials are central to society, but they have also entered the aquatic environment posing risks to public health and our essential ecosystems. Therefore, the detection of antimicrobial drugs at low concentration levels in aquatic environments is essential. In this study, a new composite comprising tannic acid modified carbon nanofibers (CNFs) and WS2 was formed to give CNF/WS2 and used in the electrochemical detection of ornidazole, an antimicrobial drug. Ornidazole is a well-known nitroimidazole and it has been detected in various water bodies. Using the CNF/WS2 composite, a linear concentration range extending from 10 nM to 260 mM ornidazole, with a sensitivity of 1.37 mA mM–1 cm–2 was obtained. Very good selectivity was achieved, and the sensor performed well in the analysis of ornidazole in river water, with recoveries ranging from 88.3 to 107.3%.