Density Functional Theory Studies of MXene-Based Nanosensors for Detecting Volatile Organic Compounds in Meat Spoilage Assessment

Abstract

Emission of selected volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as methylamine (MA), dimethylamine (DMA), and trimethylamine (TMA), is associated with certain microbial reactions, causing intrinsic decomposition and spoilage of meat and fish. Efficient detection of MA, DMA, and TMA is vital for meat and fish spoilage assessment. Here, density functional theory (DFT) calculations are used to study the sensing properties of selected MXene monolayers (M 2 CT x ; M = Ti, Nb, V; T x = O, OH, F) toward MA, DMA, and TMA. We found that the binding energies of MA (−0.29 to −1.08 eV), DMA (−0.39 to −1.15 eV), and TMA (−0.28 to −1.19 eV) on M 2 CT x are ideal for reversible sensing. Appropriate binding of these VOCs is associated with measurable changes in the electronic properties of M 2 CT x , which is essential for a highly efficient sensing mechanism. Further, we used the Langmuir adsorption model to explore the sensing characteristics of M 2 CT x monolayers in varied temperature and pressure environments. Among the studied systems, Nb 2 C(OH) 2 exhibits excellent sensing capabilities toward DMA and TMA at concentrations below parts per million (ppm), whereas Nb 2 CF 2 exhibits selective adsorption of MA at concentrations below ppm. We strongly believe that our findings will pave the way for the development of highly sensitive nanosensors for monitoring the spoilage of meat and fish products.

First-principles study on structural stabilities, mechanical properties, and biaxial strain-induced superconductivity in Janus MoWC monolayer

“…The remarkable performances of MXenes in electrochemical energy storage systems have been extensively reported, showcasing their potential contributions to technologies such as Li-ion batteries, 14–17 and supercapacitors. 18–21 Additionally, the presence of functional groups (T x ) on the MXene surface can improve its properties, opening up a wider range of chemical formulas and unlocking new applications for these 2D materials, such as electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, 22 wearable sensors, 23 photocatalysis, 24–26 poisonous gas sensors, 27–29 volatile organic compounds detectors in meat spoilage assessment, 29 and superconductors. 30,31 One interesting aspect is the existence of MXenes that do not contain functional groups, as demonstrated by Liu et al successfully synthesized high-purity V 2 C MXene, leading to excellent electrochemical performance and high electrical capacity.…”