Ultralow Detection of Mancozeb Using Two-Dimensional Cobalt Telluride (CoTe2).

Abstract

Pesticides are crucial in modern agriculture because they reduce pests and boost yield, but they also represent major risks to human health and the environment; therefore, it is important to monitor their presence in food. Reliable and precise detection techniques are possible ways to address this issue. In this work, we utilize atomically thin (two-dimensional) cobalt telluride (CoTe2) with a high surface area and charge as a template material to detect mancozeb using spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques. When mancozeb (MNZ) molecules interact with 2D CoTe2, spectroscopic analyses reveal distinctive spectral shifts that clarify the underlying chemical interactions and binding mechanisms. Furthermore, CoTe2's electroactive sites and their manipulation for improved sensitivity and selectivity toward certain MNZ molecules are investigated by electrochemical studies. The CoTe2/GCE electrode exhibits enhanced electrochemical activity toward the electrooxidation of MNZ. The developed sensing electrode shows a linear range from 0.184 mM to 18.48 μM and a limit of detection of about 0.18 μM. In addition, we employ density functional theory (DFT) first-principles calculations to validate the experimental findings and comprehend the mechanism behind the interaction between CoTe2 and MNZ molecules. The study highlights the effectiveness of 2D CoTe2 as a dual-mode sensing platform for qualitative and quantitative assessment of MNZ pollutants, demonstrated by the integration of electrochemistry and spectroscopy and the critical role that 2D CoTe2-based sensors can play in accurate and efficient pesticide detection, which is required for agricultural safety protocols and environmental monitoring.