Issue 12, 2024

Non-enzymatic signal-on electrochemiluminescence detection of organophosphorus pesticides based on tungsten disulfide quantum dots

Abstract

The rapid and efficient identification and quantification of neurotoxic organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) are crucial for ensuring environmental safety and human health. However, the current acetylcholinesterase OP sensors are largely limited by the stability and cost of bio-enzymes, as well as the occurrence of false negatives in “signal-off” strategies. In this study, we present a pioneering approach that utilizes high-performance electrochemiluminescence (ECL) of tungsten disulfide quantum dots (WS2 QDs) to develop an alternative sustainable non-enzymatic ECL sensor for “signal-on” OP detection. The presence of phosphate esters in OPs efficiently mediates ECL enhancement of WS2 QDs using K2S2O8 as a coreactant. With this new strategy, we achieved highly sensitive and selective detection of common OPs, including methyl parathion, naled, dimethoate, and malathion, with detection limits of 1.48 pg mL−1, 4.30 pg mL−1, 0.35 pg mL−1, and 5.58 pg mL−1, respectively. When applied to river water and spinach samples, the sensor also demonstrated high reproducibility and good recovery. The electrochemical hydrolysis decomposition of OPs during the detection process in this study provides a “two birds with one stone” strategy, serving the dual objective of identifying and degrading OPs. This work paves a new avenue for direct ECL sensing in environmental and food screening, eliminating the reliance on common indirect biological identification elements.

Graphical abstract: Non-enzymatic signal-on electrochemiluminescence detection of organophosphorus pesticides based on tungsten disulfide quantum dots

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
18 Jan 2024
Accepted
08 May 2024
First published
17 May 2024

Green Chem., 2024,26, 7123-7131

Non-enzymatic signal-on electrochemiluminescence detection of organophosphorus pesticides based on tungsten disulfide quantum dots

Y. Sun, W. Liu, M. Chen, H. Ji, M. Jiang, Z. Hao, X. Li, S. He, L. Zhang and R. Zhang, Green Chem., 2024, 26, 7123 DOI: 10.1039/D4GC00290C

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