Heterogeneous sensitization from nanoporous gold and titanium carbide (MXene) combining with molecularly imprinted polymers for highly sensitive and specific sensing detection of thiabendazole

A novel electrochemical sensing interface is developed for the thiabendazole (TBZ) detection with continuous electrode modification processes from nanoporous gold (NPG), titanium carbide (Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene) and molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs). Characterizations of field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) reveal the morphology and composition of NPG and Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene. X-ray diffraction (XRD) manifests the crystal structure of Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene. The unique porous structure of NPG/GE with a large number of adsorption sites provides a fine platform for the immobilization of Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene. The heterogeneous composition of two nanomaterials with the synergistic effect promotes the amplification of the sensing signal and enhances the sensitivity. After that, MIPs introduced via electropolymerization construct the imprinted electrode for the recognition of TBZ target molecules. Electrochemical behaviors of MIP/Ti 3 C 2 T x /NPG/GE are evaluated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Under optimized conditions, a low detection limit of 0.23 μM is obtained on the basis of the concentration of TBZ from 1 to 80 μM. The sensor exhibits favorable sensitivity, selectivity, reproducibility and stability. Besides, the established method is applied to the TBZ determination in real samples with satisfactory results of spiked recoveries. Such as this sensing interface modified with composites may hold a broad application prospect for trace analysis. • The controllable morphology of NPG is facilely prepared via underpotential deposition and etching method. • An accordion-like multilayered Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene with a high density of edges, corners and steps is synthesized successfully. • The sensitization interface from NPG and Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene combined with MIPs enhances the sensing characteristic. • The constructed sensor possesses excellent electrochemical analytical performance towards TBZ detection.