Two-Dimensional Transition Metal Dichalcogenides and Conducting Polymer Hybrids for Electrochemical Sensing: Recent Progress and Future Outlook

Two-dimensional (2D) layered nanomaterials have validated great potential in the field of sensing. The advancement of electrochemical sensors based on nanomaterials has gained tremendous attention owing to their attractive properties such as high sensitivity, low response time, and enhanced selectivity. Amongst them, 2D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) like WS2 and MoS2 are the most commonly used nanostructures for the development of electrochemical sensors due to their facile synthesis method, biocompatibility, high surface area, good charge transfer properties, and peculiar capability of functionalization and attachment of biomolecules. In combination with the general benefits of 2D nanomaterials, the incorporation of conducting polymers like polyaniline (PANI) and polypyrrole (PPy) into 2D-TMD structures is a current approach for improving the electrochemical sensing performance of these materials for environmental pollutants. The rising of the industrialization is a direct consequence of the drastically expanding human population, which has inevitably given rise to new biomedical and environmental concerns. In addition to the quality assurance of pharmaceutical manufacturing, there is an urgent need for a sensitive, selective, and cost-effective platform to monitor contaminated water sources and effluent for water pollutants. This chapter will compile a review to comprehend the electrochemical sensing and synergistic effects of interconnected network of 2D-TMDs and conducting polymers. Parameters such as modification of electrodes, analyte–electrode interactions, interfacial interaction mechanism, redox behaviour, selectivity, sensitivity, and stability for the fabrication of 2D TMD-based hybrids as electrochemical sensors will be comprehensively compiled. Approaches for the development of high-performance electrochemical sensors and providing a comprehensive toolkit for the detection of various pharmaceutical drugs, viz. (a) strategies for the modification of the existing electrodes with the characteristics and functionalities of existing nanomaterials and (b) opportunities obtained by the advancement of the electrochemical sensing of pharmaceutical compounds for the protection of the ecosystem will also be discussed.