State-of-the-art detection of imidacloprid in environmental and food matrices using a field-effect transistor sensor with Ti3C2Fx/CuO layers.

The extensive use of imidacloprid for pest control has raised concerns about its environmental persistence and health risks. This study presents an ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET)-based sensor featuring a Ti3C2Fx sensitive layer and CuO nanorod-like sensing layer for detecting imidacloprid. Structural and functional validation confirmed accurate nanostructure synthesis and sensor operation. The sensor exhibited a low detection limit (2.706 nM), quantification limit (8.020 nM), and high sensitivity (6.0423 μA/nM in 0-40 nM and 1.904 μA/nM in 40-150 nM) in 0.1 M PBS (pH 7.4). Tests in tomato juice, apple juice, and river water demonstrated effective detection in complex matrices, with river water showing the least interference. Repeated experiments confirmed performance stability (RSD: 3.10 %), though a 14-day test indicated slight degradation, likely due to layer leaching or contamination. This sensor offers a fast, sensitive, miniaturizable, and cost-effective alternative to conventional techniques like chromatography for environmental imidacloprid monitoring.