Preparation and Application of Bismuth/MXene Nano-Composite as Electrochemical Sensor for Heavy Metal Ions Detection

A nano-form composite of MXenes (Ti3C2Tx, T-x = -O, -OH, -F) was synthesized through depositing bismuth-nanoparticle (BiNPs) onto Ti3C2Tx sheets. Because of the preventive effect of the two-dimensional layered structure of Ti3C2Tx, the nanoparticles of Bi were uniform and well attached on the Ti3C2Tx. The obtained BiNPs/Ti3C2Tx nano-composite was applied for sensors construction of electrochemical detecting of Pb2+ and Cd2+ heavy metal ions. The produced BiNPs@Ti3C2Tx-based sensor showed high effective surface area and excellent conductivity. Also, the BiNPs were efficient for anodic-stripping voltammetric to detect heavy metal ions. After conditions optimization, the BiNPs@Ti3C2Tx nano-sensor could detect Pb2+ and Cd2+ simultaneously and the detection limits were 10.8 nM for Pb2+ and 12.4 nM for Cd2+. The BiNPs@Ti3C2Tx was promising for detecting heavy metal ions due to their high surface area, fast electron-transfer ability, environmental friendliness, and facial preparation.