A triboelectric nanosensor based on bimetallic metal-organic framework-functionalized fibers for self-powered...

The reliance of conventional sensors on external power limits the critical need for on-site, rapid antibiotic detection in environmental and food safety. In this study, a triboelectric nanosensor was developed for efficient self-powered detection of tetracycline (TC). Zr/Ce bimetallic UiO-66-NH₂ was in-situ grown on the surface of graphene oxide (GO) and uniformly embedded into electrospun polyacrylonitrile nanofibers to form the triboelectric positive layer (PGU). The synergistic effect of Ce doping and amination enabled highly selective recognition and efficient capture of TC molecules. In addition, the GO framework ensured maximal exposure of active sites and provided an efficient charge-transfer pathway for triboelectric signal generation. The PGU-based triboelectric nanosensor (PGU-TENS) exhibits stable output signals of approximately 82.3 V and 8.3 μA. Benefiting from the specific enrichment of TC molecules and the resulting regulation of the electronic structure and dielectric properties of the triboelectric layer, PGU-TENS shows a stable linear response in the concentration range of 0.01-1000 μM and achieves a detection limit as low as 2.66 nM. Excellent selectivity, rapid response, and good operational stability are also obtained. This work presents a novel paradigm for self-powered sensing of antibiotic pollutants, offering a promising route for the development of portable and intelligent sensing devices for environmental and food safety applications.