Electronic Structure Modulation on SnO₂ and Hexagonal Boron Nitride with Sulfur Atom for Effective Electrochemical Sensing of Bendiocarb

Here we demonstrated the sulfur atoms induced an electronic structure modulation of SnO₂ and its synergism with hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) by simple one-step vulcanization process. Thus, S-SnO₂/S-hBN exhibits extraordinary catalyst material for the electrochemical detection of a toxic insecticide bendiocarb (BDC). The introduction of sulfur atoms to SnO₂ and hBN results an in situ dynamic electronic structure transition, further facilitate the interactions of target with the catalyst structure. Detailed investigation of S-SnO₂/S-hBN indicates the role of sulfur atoms as an electron acceptor to facilitate electron transfer to SnO₂/hBN for the electrochemical process. The remarkable interfacial active site in S-SnO₂/S-hBN provides the lowest limit of detection of 0.285 μM and the best sensitivity of 0.023 μA μM^-1 cm^-2 under the wide range addition of BDC i.e. 0.02–150.02 μM. Meanwhile, it has proven the top-notch selectivity of BDC even at a higher concentration level of interfering molecules present. This work also satisfies the requirements of commercializing by an appreciable recovery in real-time analysis of food samples with accurate reproducibility and considerable stability shown for electrochemical detection of BDC.