Constructing high-effective electrode sensing interfaces
has been
considered an effective method for electrochemical detection toward
heavy metal ions (HMIs). However, most research has been devoted to
enhancing the stripping currents of HMIs by simply improving the adsorptive
capacity and conductivity of the electrode modified materials, while
lacking theoretical guidelines in fabricating catalytic sensing interfaces.
Besides, the understanding of detection mechanisms is quite unscientific
from the perspective of catalysis. This perspective summarizes five
general strategies in designing highly efficient sensing interfaces
in the recent five years, including modulating crystal phases, orientations
and planes, defect engineering, ionic valence state cycle engineering,
adsorption in situ catalysis strategy, and construction of atomic
level catalytic active sites. What’s more, the catalytic mechanisms
for improving the signals of HMIs, such as boosting the electron transfer
rates and conversion rates, lowering the energy barriers, etc., are
introduced and emphasized. This study has a great significance in
directionally controlling functionalized electrochemical sensors to
achieve excellent sensitivity and selectivity in detecting environmental
pollutants from the view of catalysis, and it also brings enlightenments
and guidance to develop new electroanalytical methods.