Recent advances of sensitive electrochemical sensing platform for rapid detection of phthalate acid esters

As a kind of plasticizer, phthalic acid esters (PAEs) are often added to plastics to enhance elasticity, transparency, durability and prolong service life. However, it does not chemically bind to plastics and is easy to migrate to the environment. It is difficult to degrade in the environment, and it is also enriched in the human body through the food chain and respiration, which has an impact on human health. Therefore, it is very essential to realize the rapid and sensitive detection of PAEs in the soil, atmosphere, water and food. Due to the toxicity, universality and low concentration limitation of PAEs in the environment and food, high requirements are placed on their rapid and sensitive detection methods. At present, electrochemical (EC) sensors have been widely used in the detection of PAEs owing to their advantages of simplicity, rapidity, low cost, portability, easy operation, high specificity and high sensitivity. In this review, we mainly introduce the application of classical EC sensors, electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensors and photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensors in the detection of PAEs. We also propose that the development of rapid, accurate and real-time detection methods of PAEs is a key to assessing risk and preventing related diseases.