Molecular imprinted photoelectrochemical sensor for bisphenol A supported by flower-like AgBiS2/In2S3 matrix

As one of the fashionable ways for molecular recognition site display, molecular imprinting technology has attracted increasing attention as a means to design complementary parts of target molecules. Herein, a novel molecularly imprinted photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensor is designed for bisphenol A (BPA) analysis based on In2S3/Cd2+ sensitized flower-like AgBiS2. The bimetallic sulphide AgBiS2 possess a three-dimensional flower-like structure that is assembled by using nanosheets, the outstanding structure provides a favorable surface morphology for fixing other photoactive nanomaterials. Thus, photosensitizer In2S3 nanoparticles are used to sensitize AgBiS2, and an enhanced PEC response is achieved thanks to the matched band gap and the electron delivery synergy. In order to acquire a more stable and higher photocurrent, Cd2+ is dropped directly on the AgBiS2/In2S3 electrode to generate CdS in situ, the generated CdS coupled with In2S3 co-sensitize AgBiS2 and realized satisfactory PEC basic response. The molecularly imprinted membrane is prepared by electrodeposition of pyrrole solution in the presence of BPA. Under optimized detection conditions, the proposed PEC sensor displays a wide detection range between 0.0005 and 50 mu M for BPA, and with a low detection limit 0.18 nM. The skillful strategy also displays excellent stability and great reproducibility.

Automated summary

A novel molecularly imprinted photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensor was designed for bisphenol A (BPA) analysis based on In2S3/Cd2+ sensitized flower-like AgBiS2, showing enhanced PEC response and wide detection range with low detection limit. The sensor utilized a bimetallic sulphide AgBiS2 with favorable surface morphology for fixing photoactive nanomaterials, and the combination of different sensitizers achieved satisfactory PEC basic response.