Emerging pharmaceutical pollutants are increasingly threatening aquatic ecosystems worldwide, with antiviral drugs, such as oseltamivir, persisting in surface and groundwater due to the inefficiency of conventional wastewater treatment systems. This study presents a novel electrochemical sensor based on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with vanadium MXene and molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for the selective and sensitive detection of oseltamivir in water. The sensor combines the high conductivity of vanadium-based MXene with the selective molecular recognition of MIPs to provide a reliable platform for monitoring pharmaceutical pollutants in aquatic systems.
The MIP formed selective cavities for oseltamivir, while vanadium MXene enhanced electrode conductivity. Electrochemical tests confirmed that the sensor outperformed a non-imprinted polymer (NIP) sensor in sensitivity and selectivity. The GCE/MXene/MIP sensor demonstrated excellent analytical performance, with a linear detection range of 10–100 μM, a low limit of detection of 1.21 ×10−6 M, and a limit of quantification of 4.02 ×10−6 M. Differential pulse voltammetry confirmed high reproducibility (RSD 3.17%), stability over eight days (RSD 1.82%), and strong selectivity against potential interfering substances. The sensor outperformed conventional UV-Vis methods in sensitivity, selectivity, and rapid on-site applicability.
These findings highlight the potential of MXene/MIP-based electrochemical sensors for environmental surveillance, providing a sensitive, reliable, and practical approach for detecting antiviral contaminants in aquatic systems.
- Fabrication of a MXene-based sensor as a potential point of use device for acquiring spatiotemporal data through water-profiling of a descriptor ARV drugs
- Tshegofatso Cynthia Mothupi
- L N Dlamini
- University of Johannesburg; Master of Science (MSc)
- Master of Science (MSc), University of Johannesburg
- 9963310107691
- University of Johannesburg
- University of Johannesburg; Faculty of Science
- English
- Thesis