A derivative photoelectrochemical sensing platform for herbicide acetochlor based on TiO2–poly (3-hexylthiophene)–ionic liquid nanocomposite film modified electrodes

Nonelectroactive acetochlor can be indirectly determined through the photocatalytical degradation of acetochlor. A derivative visible light photoelectrochemical sensor for indirect detection of the herbicide acetochlor using TiO2–poly(3-hexylthiophene)–ionic liquid nanocomposite is constructed. Poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) was synthesized via chemical oxidative polymerization with anhydrous FeCl3 as oxidant, 3-hexylthiophene as monomer, chloroform as solvent, and the functional TiO2 nanoparticles were facilely prepared by blending TiO2 nanoparticles and P3HT at room temperature ionic liquid, 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate solution. Operational parameters, including the photolysis time, ratios of TiO2 to P3HT, bias voltage and pH of buffer solution have been optimized. Under optimal conditions, the proposed photoelectrochemical method could detect acetochlor ranging from 0.5 to 20 μmol L−1 with a detection limit of 0.2 nmol L−1 at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. The assay results of acetochlor in water samples with the proposed method were in acceptable agreement with those of the gas chromatograph–mass spectrometer (GC–MS) method. The promising sensor opens a new opportunity for fast, portable, and sensitive analysis of acetochlor in environmental samples.