A sensitive and label-free photoelectrochemical aptasensor using Co-doped ZnO diluted magnetic semiconductor nanoparticles

Co-doped ZnO diluted magnetic semiconductor as a novel photoelectric beacon was first constructed for photoelectrochemical (PEC) aptasensor of acetamiprid. The fabricated PEC sensing is based on the specific binding of acetamiprid and its aptamer, which induces the decreasement of enhanced photocurrent produced by the electron donor of quercetin. Co2+ doping has a beneficial effect in extending the band width of light absorption of ZnO into the visible region and to promote the separation of the photoinduced carriers due to the sp-d exchange interactions existing between the band electrons and the localized d electrons of Co2+. The fabricated aptasensor was linear with the concentration of acetamiprid in the range of 0.5–800nmolL−1 with the detection limit of 0.18nmolL−1. The presence of same concentration of other conventional pesticides did not interfere in the detection of acetamiprid and the recovery is between 96.2% and 103.7%. This novel PEC aptasensor has good performances with high sensitivity, good selectivity, low cost and portable features. The strategy of Co-doped ZnO diluted magnetic semiconductor paves a new way to improve the performances of PEC aptasensor. •A novel and label-free photoelectrochemical aptasensor for acetamiprid.•Co-doped ZnO diluted magnetic semiconductor was first for PEC aptasensor.•Co2+ doping is beneficial to promote the separation of the photoinduced carriers.•The PEC aptasensor exhibited good performances for acetamiprid detection.