A novel label-free dual-mode aptasensor based on the mutual regulation of silver nanoclusters and MoSe2 nanosheets for reliable detection of ampicillin

Current methods for the rapid detection of trace antibiotics in the environment remains problems of low accuracy and false negative or false positive, making the development of fast, and accurate, and reliable methods for antibiotic testing a major challenge that needs to be addressed. Herein, we developed a novel label-free colorimetric and fluorescent dual-mode aptasensor assembled by the strong interaction of layered MoSe2 nanosheets (MoSe2 NSs) with ampicillin (AMP) aptamer functionalized silver nanoclusters (Apt-AgNCs) that specifically bind AMP to allow the sensitive and selective detection of AMP. Apt-AgNCs could be adsorbed on the surface of MoSe2 NSs via van der Waals force to form a nanocomposite, Apt-AgNCs/MoSe2 NSs. Interestingly, Apt-AgNCs/MoSe2 NSs act together to construct dual mode aptasensor through modulation of the intrinsic peroxidase activity of MoSe2 NSs and the fluorescence of Apt-AgNCs. In the presence of AMP, Apt-AgNCs could specifically bind AMP, triggering desorption from the MoSe2 NSs surface, leading to a decrease in the peroxidase activity of the system with the recovery in Apt-AgNCs fluorescence. The dual-signal aptasensor exhibited good linear colorimetric and fluorescence responses in the AMP concentration ranges of 0.115–2.00 μM and 6–100 nM, respectively. Furthermore, the aptasensor was successfully measured AMP levels in commercially-bought milk and lake water with satisfactory results. Unlike single-signal aptasensors, the constructed dual-signal aptasensor could not only improve the detection precision, but also reduce the false positive or false negative results. These promising results suggest that the dual-readout strategy as demonstrated is general mode for the detection of other antibiotics or compounds using various aptamers functionalized AgNCs in concert with MoSe2 NSs. AMP aptamers linked with C-rich sequence were incubated with silver ions in PBS buffer, and then the reducing agent KBH4 was added to synthesize Apt-AgNCs with yellow fluorescence emission. Simultaneously, the layered MoSe2 NSs with weak peroxidase-mimicking activity for H2O2-TMB system were obtained from liquid exfoliation method. Apt-AgNCs could be adsorbed on the surface of MoSe2 NSs via van der Waals force after co-incubation. The adsorbed Apt-AgNCs could dramatically accelerate the catalytic activity of the MoSe2 NSs and deepen the solution color. On the other hand, MoSe2 NSs could quench the fluorescence of Apt-AgNCs in virtue of FRET proc