A molecularly imprinted photoelectrochemical sensor based on Z-scheme Bi₂S₃/SnS₂ heterojunction for ultrasensitive detection of thiacloprid
摘要
An ultrasensitive molecularly imprinted polymer photoelectrochemical (MIP-PEC) sensor was constructed for thiacloprid (THP) detection via the synergistic integration of a Z-scheme Bi₂S₃/SnS₂ heterojunction with a specific molecular imprinting strategy. Impressively, the Z-scheme Bi₂S₃/SnS₂ heterojunction offered a broad spectral response and facilitated highly efficient charge separation, thereby significantly improving the photovoltaic conversion efficiency and stability of the sensor. Complementarily, the molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP), electropolymerized using o-aminophenol (OAP) as the functional monomer and THP as the template, created tailor-made cavities that ensured precise recognition and exceptional specificity for the target molecule. This design effectively addresses two key challenges in conventional PEC sensors: the rapid recombination of photogenerated charge carriers and insufficient selectivity. Consequently, the proposed MIP-PEC sensor demonstrated high specificity, sensitivity, and stability for THP detection, achieving a wide linear range from 5 nM to 200 µM and a low detection limit of 0.935 nM (S/N = 3). In addition, the proposed MIP-PEC sensor was successfully applied to monitor THP in vegetable and fruit samples as well as lake water, showing extraordinary application prospects in the fields of food safety and environmental monitoring.
Graphical Abstract