An ultra-sensitive photoelectrochemical sensor for chlorpyrifos detection based on a novel BiOI/TiO2 n-n heterojunction

A new plant-esterase inhibition based electrochemical sensor with signal amplification by MoS2@N-CDs for chlorpyrifos detection

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is the most common pesticide entering the food chain and posing a threat to human health. This study presents a new electrochemical biosensor based on molybdenum disulfide nanosheets and nitrogen-doped carbon dot nanocomposite (MoS2@N-CDs) and kidney bean esterase (KdBE), and it is shown to achieve accurate detection of CPF. MoS2@N-CDs were prepared by a facile solvothermal method and characterized by electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Electrochemical characterization confirmed that MoS2@N-CDs facilitated electron transfer and increased the electroactive surface area of the electrode, thereby improved the sensing performance of the electrode. The oxidation peak current of 1-naphthol, which was produced by the hydrolysis of 1-naphthyl acetate catalyzed by KdBE, was adopted as the signal of the sensor. CPF can suppress KdBE activity and consequently cause a decrease in the sensing signal. The experimental results show that the variation of sensing signal is a reliable index to evaluate the CPF level. Under the optimized conditions, the developed enzyme sensor showed superior CPF assay performance with a linear detection range as wide as 0.01-500 μg L-1 and LOD as low as 3.5 × 10-3 μg L-1 (S/N = 3). The inter- and intra-batch RSDs for electrode testing were 4.02% and 2.69%, respectively. Moreover, the developed biosensor also showed good stability and anti-interference. The spiked recoveries of CPF in oilseed rape and cabbage ranged from 98.09% to 106.01% with low relative standard deviation (RSD) (<5.23%), suggesting that the sensor is a promising tool to enable simple, low-cost but highly sensitive large-scale screening of CPF residues in food.

Recent Progress in Photoelectrochemical Sensing of Pesticides in Food and Environmental Samples: Photoactive Materials and Signaling Mechanisms

Pesticides have become an integral part of modern agricultural practices, but their widespread use poses a significant threat to human health. As such, there is a pressing need to develop effective methods for detecting pesticides in food and environmental samples. Traditional chromatography methods and common rapid detection methods cannot satisfy accuracy, portability, long storage time, and solution stability at the same time. In recent years, photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensing technology has gained attention as a promising approach for detecting various pesticides due to its salient advantages, including high sensitivity, low cost, simple operation, fast response, and easy miniaturization, thus becoming a competitive candidate for real-time and on-site monitoring of pesticide levels. This review provides an overview of the recent advancements in PEC methods for pesticide detection and their applications in ensuring food and environmental safety, with a focus on the categories of photoactive materials, from single semiconductor to semiconductor-semiconductor heterojunction, and signaling mechanisms of PEC sensing platforms, including oxidation of pesticides, steric hindrance, generation/decrease in sacrificial agents, and introduction/release of photoactive materials. Additionally, this review will offer insights into future prospects and confrontations, thereby contributing novel perspectives to this evolving domain.