Self-powered photoelectrochemical aptasensor based on hollow tubular g-C3N4/Bi/BiVO4 for tobramycin detection

A highly sensitive photoelectrochemical aptasensor based on phosphorus-doped hollow tubular g-C3N4/Bi/BiVO4 (PT-C3N4/Bi/BiVO4) for tobramycin (TOB) detecting was developed. This aptasensor is a self-powered sensing system which could generate the electrical output under visible light irradiation with no external voltage supply. Based on the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect and unique hollow tubular structure of PT-C3N4/Bi/BiVO4, the PEC aptasensor exhibited an enhanced photocurrent and favorably specific response to TOB. Under the optimized conditions, the sensitive aptasensor presented a wider linearity to TOB in the range of 0.01–50 ng mL−1 with a low detection limit of 4.27 pg mL−1. This sensor also displayed a satisfying photoelectrochemical performance with optimistic selectivity and stability. In addition, the proposed aptasensor was successfully applied to the detection of TOB in river water and milk samples.