Ultrasensitive Detection of Hydrogen Peroxide Using Bi₂Te₃ Electrochemical Sensors

Abstract

Electrochemical sensors, with high accuracy, good selectivity, and linear response, have been widely used for environmental protection, health monitoring, and disease treatment. However, to date, these sensors still have limit sensitivity or otherwise require the use of high-cost materials such as noble metals and enzymes. Here, we report a novel electrochemical sensor using a topological insulator, Bi2Te3. Through liquid-phase exfoliation, we prepared nano- and microflakes of Bi2Te3 and measured their performance in hydrogen peroxide sensing via electrocatalytic reduction processes. Our devices exhibit a sensitivity of ∼4900 μA mM–1 cm–2 and a detection limit of ∼10–8 molar, both of which are superior to typical noble metal-based electrochemical sensors. Through electrochemical analysis and microkinetic simulations, we extracted the kinetic parameters and gained insights into the reaction mechanism. We attribute the ultrahigh sensitivity to the facile electron transfer at the Bi2Te3–aqueous solution interface.

Two-Dimensional Nanomaterials beyond Graphene for Biomedical Applications

“…Nanostructured topological insulators are narrow bandgap 2D materials with high carrier mobility, catalytic activity and delocalized metallic surface states that allow fast interfacial charge dynamic, which leads to highly sensitive electrochemical sensing platforms [83]. Zhao and co-workers synthesized microflakes of Bi 2 Te 3 with a sensitivity of 4900 µAmM −1 cm −2 and LOD of 10 −8 molar for electroreduction of hydrogen peroxide, which was greatly enhanced compared to other available metal electrochemical sensors [84].…”

Nanomaterials‐assisted metabolic analysis toward in vitro diagnostics

“…It is noteworthy that the selectivity of non‐enzymatic electrodes results from the design and optimization of material components, rather than the inherent catalytic selectivity of enzymatic electrodes. [ 59–61 ] For instance, the well‐established Cu x Co y O 4 nanowire framework thin‐films by Xu et al. enhanced the detection selectivity of glucose in serum based on abundant electro‐active sites and channels for ions transfer.…”

“…It is noteworthy that the selectivity of nonenzymatic electrodes results from the design and optimization of material components, rather than the inherent catalytic selectivity of enzymatic electrodes. [59][60][61] For instance, the well-established Cu x Co y O 4 nanowire framework thin-films by Xu et al enhanced the detection selectivity of glucose in serum based on abundant electro-active sites and channels for ions transfer. [59] Regarding the substrate choice, the transition metal-based non-enzymatic electrode (e.g., Cu [57] ) offered preferable electrocatalytic ability and low cost and served as a better candidate (Figure 3E) than the previous noble metal substrate for building the novel electrochemical biosensor.…”

In Situ Synthesis of a Bi2Te3-Nanosheet/Reduced-Graphene-Oxide Nanocomposite for Non-Enzymatic Electrochemical Dopamine Sensing

“…These materials are highly mobile, and the delocalized surface states can promote interfacial charge transfer between the electrode surface and analyte, along with simultaneously enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio of the sensing current [37]. The electron affinity of BT and the work function of rGO have been estimated to be 4.125-4.525 eV [68] and 4.6-5.0 eV, respectively [69].…”

“…Bismuth telluride (Bi 2 Te 3 ; BT) is extensively applied in photocatalysts [30], thermoelectric materials [31], photodetectors [32], gas sensors [33], capacitors [34], and electrochemical sensors [35][36][37] owing to its high ionic and electrical conductivities. The intrinsic layered crystal structure of BT can be readily synthesized using the solvothermal method to form 2D nanosheets.…”