Engineering low-dimensional carbon nanomaterials for electrochemical detection of antibiotics in environmental and clinical matrices
Journal
Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers
Journal Volume
184
Start Page
106360
ISSN
1876-1070
Date Issued
2026-07
Author(s)
Abstract
Background The extensive use of antibiotics in medicine, agriculture, and the pharmaceutical industry has raised global concerns due to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance and environmental contamination. Rapid, sensitive, and reliable detection of antibiotic residues is crucial for public health and environmental safety. Methods This review presents recent advances in electrochemical sensors employing low-dimensional carbon nanomaterials, including zero-dimensional (0D) carbon dots, one-dimensional (1D) carbon nanotubes and nanofibers, and two-dimensional (2D) graphene and its derivatives. Emphasis is placed on their unique structural and electrochemical properties, synthesis strategies, functional modifications, and integration with nanocomposites to enhance sensor performance. Various electrochemical techniques such as differential pulse voltammetry, cyclic voltammetry, and amperometry are discussed. Findings Carbon-based nanostructures offer high surface area, excellent conductivity, and versatile surface chemistry, enabling enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and miniaturization of antibiotic sensors. Strategies like surface functionalization, heteroatom doping, and hybridization with metal/metal oxide nanoparticles further boost detection performance. The review identifies key challenges, such as material agglomeration, and highlights future directions including scalable synthesis, improved stability, and integration with smart sensing platforms for real-time antibiotic monitoring.
Subjects
Antibiotics
·Sensors
·Quantum dots
·Graphene
·Carbon nanotubes
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Type
journal article