Innovative strategy based on novel Ti3C2Tx MXenes nanoribbons/carbon nanotubes hybrids for anodic stripping voltammetry sensing of mercury ion

Anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) is presently the most widely used method for mercury ion (Hg 2+ ) detection, but it generally needs an electrodeposition step. As a new star nanomaterial , MXenes shows greatly important applications in electrochemical sensing. In this work, by preparing Ti 3 C 2 T x MXenes nanoribbons/carbon nanotube (Ti 3 C 2 T x R/CNT) nanohybrids to modify glassy carbon electrode (GCE) as sensing platform, an innovative strategy without electrodeposition was proposed for the sensitive detection of Hg 2+ . The results show that Ti 3 C 2 T x R exhibits spontaneous adsorption and reduction capability towards Hg 2+ , which can make Hg 2+ self-reduced and preconcentrated on the electrode surface . Coupled with the excellent electronic properties of CNT, an electrodeposition-free and sensitive ASV sensor was constructed, and Ti 3 C 2 T x R/CNT/GCE can exhibit superior sensing performances for Hg 2+ analysis with a low detection of limit (5.2 nM) and wide linearity range (0.01–7.0 μM). This work offered a new direction for MXenes nanomaterials and Hg 2+ detection.