Two-Dimensional CuMn-Layered Double Hydroxides: A Study of Interlayer Anion Variants on the Electrochemical Sensing of Trichlorophenol.

Despite their diverse application profile, aromatic organochlorides such as 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TP) are widely renowned for creating a negative toll on the balance of the ecosystem. Strict regulatory regimes are required to limit exposure to such organic pollutants. By deployment of a straightforward detection scheme, electrochemical sensing technology offers a competitive edge over the other techniques and practices available for pollutant monitoring. Here, we present a streamlined hydrothermal approach for synthesizing copper-manganese layered double hydroxide (CuMn-LDH) rods to be employed as electrocatalysts for detecting TP in various media. With a focused intention to leverage the full potential of the prepared CuMn-LDHs, the interlamellar region is configured using a series of intercalants. Further, a thorough comparative analysis of their structures, morphologies, and electrochemical performance is accomplished using various analytical techniques. The electrocatalytic oxidation ability of the CuMn-LDH toward TP molecules is markedly altered by incorporating various anions into the gallery region. The dynamic attributes of the developed sensor, such as a wide linear response (0.02-289.2 µM), a low detection limit (0.0026 µM), and good anti-interfering ability, acclaim its superior viability for real-time detection of TP with exceptional tolerance to the presence of foreign moieties. Hence, this work manifests that the nature of intercalants is a vital aspect to consider while designing LDH-based electrochemical probes to detect priority pollutants.

Nanoengineered disposable sensor fabricated with lanthanum stannate nanocrystallite for detecting animal feed additive: Ractopamine.

Ractopamine (RA) has been at the forefront of feed additives as a nutrient repartitioning mediator that recuperates the growth rate, decreases animal fat, and guarantees food safety. However, inappropriate and abusive usage of RA to enhance economic efficiency can negatively impact the environment-animal-human interactions. Therefore, the call for monitoring and quantifying RA is highly desired. In this work, the potentiality of La2Sn2O7 as an electrode modifier on the surface of the portable screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) was examined for its precision, disposability, and ability to detect RA. The superior electrocatalytic activity of the fabricated La2Sn2O7/SPCE fortifies its standpoints by displaying a wide linear working range of 0.01-501.2 µM, an enhanced sensitivity, a better stability, a lower LOD of 0.86 nM, and an increased selectivity toward the detection of RA. Furthermore, the investigation of the constructed electrochemical sensor with real-time food samples underpins its practicality and feasibility.

Eutectic solvent mediated synthesis of carbonated CoFe-LDH nanorods: The effect of interlayer anion (Cl-, SO42-, CO32-) variants for comparing the bifunctional electrochemical sensing application.

The unabated usage of priority anthropogenic stressors is a serious concern in the global environmental context. Pharmaceutical drugs such as furazolidone (FL) and nilutamide (NL) have far-reaching repercussions due to the presence of the reactive nitroaromatic moiety. Despite the widespread awareness regarding the dangers posed by nitroaromatic drugs, the promises to alleviate the environmental consequences of drug pollution are often unmet. Accordingly, implementing practices to monitor their presence in various media is a highly desirable, but challenging undertaking. With the advent of deep eutectic solvent-assisted synthesis, it has become possible to fabricate LDH-based sensor materials with minimal energy inputs in a sustainable and scalable manner. In this work, we have framed a series of CoFe-LDH electrocatalysts utilizing deep eutectic solvent-assisted hydrothermal strategies for the simultaneous detection of FL and NL. The CoFe-LDHs intercalated with three distinct anions, namely, (i) Cl-, (ii) SO42-, and (iii) CO32- are compared so as to establish a relationship between anion intercalation and electrochemical activity. Amongst the prepared electrodes, the CF-LDH-ii/SPCE displays highly appreciable selectivity, linear response range (0.09-237.9 µM), low detetion limits (FL = 1.2 nM and NL = 3.8 nM), high sensitivity (FL = 29.71 µA µM⁻1 cm⁻2 and NL = 19.29 µA µM⁻1 cm⁻2), good reproducibility and repeatability towards FL and NL in water and urine samples. Thus, with tailored gallery anions, the proposed electrocatalyst establishes enhanced electrocatalytic performance for the real-time analysis of pharmaceutical contaminants.

Tunable reactivity of silver nanoclusters: a facile route to synthesize a range of bimetallic nanostructures.

Quantized energy levels and unique optoelectronic properties of atomically precise noble metal nanoclusters (NCs) have made them important in materials science, catalysis, sensors, and biomedicine. Recent studies on the profound chemical interactions of such NCs within themselves and with ultrasmall plasmonic nanoparticles (NPs) indicate that depending on the size, shape, and composition of the second reactant, NCs can either take part in colloidal assembly without any chemical modifications or lead to products with atoms exchanged. Anisotropic NPs are a unique class of plasmonic nanomaterials as their sharp edges and protrusions show higher chemical reactivity compared to flat surfaces, often leading to site-specific growth of foreign metals and metal oxide shells. Here, using chemical interactions between gold nanotriangles (AuNTs) and Ag NCs of different compositions, we show for the first time that metal atom etching, alloying/atom exchange, and colloidal assembly can all happen at a particular length scale. Specifically, Ag25(DMBT)18 NCs (denoted as 1), upon reacting with AuNTs of ∼57 nm edge length, etch gold atoms from their sharp tips and edges. Simultaneously, the two nanosystems exchange metal atoms, resulting in Ag-doped AuNTs and AuxAg24-x(DMBT)18 (x = 1, 2). However, another Ag NC with the same metallic core, but a different ligand shell, namely, Ag25H22(DPPE)8 (denoted as 2), creates dendritic shells made of Ag, surrounding these AuNTs under the same reaction conditions. Furthermore, we show that in the case of a more reactive thiol-protected Ag NC, namely, Ag44(pMBA)30 (denoted as 3), gold etching is faster from the edges and tips, which drastically alters the identities of both the reactants. Interestingly, when the AuNTs are protected by pMBA, 3 systematically assembles on AuNTs through H-bonding, resulting in an AuNT core-Ag NC shell nanocomposite. Thus, while shedding light on various factors affecting the reactivity of Ag NCs towards AuNTs, the present study proposes a single strategy to obtain a number of bimetallic nanosystems of targeted morphology and functionality.