CdS/Ti3C2 heterostructure–based photoelectrochemical platform for sensitive and selective detection of trace amount of Cu2+

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) detection as a potential development strategy for Cu 2+ ion sensor has arisen extensive attention. Herein, CdS/Ti 3 C 2 heterostructure was synthesized by electrostatically driven assembly and hydrothermal method. On the basis of a CdS/Ti 3 C 2 heterostructure, a novel anodic PEC sensing platform was constructed for highly sensitive detection of trace amount of Cu 2+ . Carrier transport at the interface of CdS/Ti 3 C 2 heterostructure was tremendously improved, due to the generation of effective Schottky junctions. Under visible light irradiation, the CdS/Ti 3 C 2 heterostructure-modified PEC platform exhibits great anode photocurrent signal, and the formation of Cu x S reduces the PEC response with the presence of Cu 2+ as a representative analyte. Thus, the linear response of Cu 2+ ranges from 0.1 nM to 10 µM and the limits of detection (LOD, 0.05 nM) are obtained, which is lower than that of WHO’s Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality (30 μM). This idea of component reconstitution provides a new paradigm for the design of advanced PEC sensors. Graphical abstract