MoS₂/ZnO-Heterostructures-Based Label-Free, Visible-Light-Excited Photoelectrochemical Sensor for Sensitive and Selective Determination of Synthetic Antioxidant Propyl Gallate

Abstract

Propyl gallate (PG) as one of the important synthetic antioxidants is widely used in the prevention of oxidative deterioration of oils during processing and storage. Determination of PG has received extensive concern because of its possible toxic effects on human health. Herein, we report a photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensor based on ZnO nanorods and MoS2 flakes with a vertically constructed p–n heterojunction. In this system, the n-type ZnO and p-type MoS2 heterostructures exhibited much better optoelectronic behaviors than their individual materials. Under an open circuit potential (zero potential) and visible light excitation (470 nm), the PEC sensor exhibited extraordinary response for PG determination, as well as excellent anti-inference properties and good reproducibility. The PEC sensor showed a wide linear range from 1.25 × 10–7 to 1.47 × 10–3 mol L–1 with a detection limit as low as 1.2 × 10–8 mol L–1. MoS2/ZnO heterostructure with proper band level between MoS2 and ZnO could make the photogenerated electrons and holes separated more easily, which eventually results in great improvement of sensitivity. On the other hand, formation of a five membered chelating ring structure of Zn­(II) with adjacent oxygen atoms of PG played significant roles for selective detection of PG. Moreover, the PEC sensor was successfully used for PG analysis in different samples of edible oils. It demonstrated the ability and reliability of the MoS2/ZnO-based PEC sensor for PG detection in real samples, which is beneficial for food quality monitoring and reducing the risk of overuse of PG in foods.

One-dimensional (1D) Nanostructured Materials for Energy Applications

“…Featuring a detection limit of 0.2 ppm and a wide linear detection range of 1.25−576 ppm [106]. A propyl gallate PEC sensor based on ZnO nanorods and MoS2 flakes showed a wide linear range from 1.25 10 −7 to 1.47 10 −3 mol L −1 with a detection limit as low as 1.2 10 −8 mol L −1 [107].…”

“…CuO NWs photocathodes fabricated via hydrothermal method have also shown a photocurrent of ~1.4 mA cm -2 at 0 V vs. RHE under AM 1.5G irradiation, which is one of the highest photocurrents based on bare CuO photocathode [101]. Hydrogenated 1-D materials (Figure 8) have also been integrated in PEC cells for sensing applications [104][105][106][107]. For instance, Au-NiO1-x (0<x<1) hybrid NWs arrays are used as glucose sensors that exhibits an ultrahigh sensitivity of 4.061 mA cm -2 mM -1 , low detection limit and a wide level of glucose concentration in the detection range of 0.005-15 mM in PEC cells [104].…”

One-Dimensional (1D) Nanostructured Materials for Energy Applications

“…1–D materials ( Figure 8 ) have also been integrated in PEC cells for sensing applications [ 106 , 107 , 108 , 109 ]. For instance, Au–NiO 1−x (0 < x < 1) hybrid NWs arrays are used as glucose sensors that exhibits an ultrahigh sensitivity of 4.061 mA cm −2 mM −1 , low detection limit and a wide level of glucose concentration in the detection range of 0.005–15 mM in PEC cells [ 106 ].…”

“…Featuring a detection limit of 0.2 ppm and a wide linear detection range of 1.25–576 ppm [ 108 ]. A propyl gallate PEC sensor based on ZnO nanorods and MoS 2 flakes showed a wide linear range from 1.25 10 −7 to 1.47 10 −3 mol L −1 with a detection limit as low as 1.2 10 −8 mol L −1 [ 109 ].…”

“… ( a ) Au–NiO 1−x (0 < x < 1) hybrid nanowire arrays [ 106 ], ( b ) TiO 2 nanowires [ 107 ], ( c ) anatase-branch@hydrogenated rutile nanorod TiO 2 [ 108 ], ( d ) ZnO nanorods and MoS 2 flakes [ 109 ]. Reproduced with permission from references [ 106 , 107 , 108 , 109 ]. …”