Multivalent Cu sites in CuFe2O4@Cu@C synergistically enhance electrochemical detection and degradation efficiency of organophosphorus pesticides.

Pesticides are omnipresent environmental pollutants negatively influencing on human health and ecosystem, emphasizing the urgent need for high-efficiency detection and degradation treatment measures. Herein, we propose an electrochemical detection and catalytic degradation dual system based on a multivalent Cu-based catalyst (CuFe2O4@Cu@C) that utilizes Cu-FcDA MOF as a sacrificial template. Experimental results suggested that enhanced detection and degradation efficiency originates from synergistic effect of multivalent Cu sites, that can significantly promote electron transfer and enrich active reaction sites, simultaneously favoring the enzymatic reaction and catalytic degradation reaction. Under optimal conditions, the established sensing method possesses satisfactory linear ranges (methamidophos: 7.4 × 10-12 - 7.4 × 10-7 M, and monocrotophos: 4.48 × 10-13 - 4.48 × 10-8 M), low limit of detection (methamidophos: 6.6 × 10-14 M and monocrotophos:1.32 × 10-14 M) and high recoveries (91.8 % ∼ 113.1 %). Meanwhile, the CuFe2O4@Cu@C(450)/PMS degradation system achieves nearly 100 % removal efficiencies towards multiple pesticides within 20 min. This study provides a reliable technology for simultaneously detecting and removing of hazardous organic contaminants, guarding the environmental and food safety.