Ultra-sensitive and rapid detection of diethylstilbestrol by constructing molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor via hetero-interface engineering of Pt nanoparticles-decorated MXene/NH2-UiO-66.

The hazard of diethylstilbestrol (DES) towards human health underscored the imperative for highly sensitive and rapid analytical technologies. Herein, a molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor (MIECS) was innovatively constructed by incorporating the Pt nanoparticles (PtNPs)-decorated MXene/NH-UiO-66 into molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP/MXene/NH-UiO-66/PtNPs) for ultra-sensitive and rapid detection of DES. The introduction of NH-UiO-66 effectively prevented the restacking of MXene and with the synergistic effect of PtNPs, the electrical conductivity of the sensor was significantly enhanced. MIP/MXene/NH-UiO-66/PtNPs-based MIECS not only exhibited excellent electrical conductivity but also possessed the specific cavity to recognize DES. Under optimal experimental conditions, the MIP/MXene/NH-UiO-66/PtNPs-based MIECS exhibited a good relationship with the concentration of DES over a wide range of 1 × 10-1 × 10 mol L and an extremely low detection limit (1.19 × 10 mol L). This study demonstrates the judicious design of ternary composite via hetero-interface engineering in the construction of MIECS, providing a new idea for electrochemical sensing.