Ultralow Detection of Mancozeb Using Two-Dimensional Cobalt Telluride (CoTe₂)

Abstract

Pesticides are crucial in modern agriculture because they reduce pests and boost yield, but they also represent major risks to human health and the environment; therefore, it is important to monitor their presence in food. Reliable and precise detection techniques are possible ways to address this issue. In this work, we utilize atomically thin (two-dimensional) cobalt telluride (CoTe₂) with a high surface area and charge as a template material to detect mancozeb using spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques. When mancozeb (MNZ) molecules interact with 2D CoTe₂, spectroscopic analyses reveal distinctive spectral shifts that clarify the underlying chemical interactions and binding mechanisms. Furthermore, CoTe₂'s electroactive sites and their manipulation for improved sensitivity and selectivity toward certain MNZ molecules are investigated by electrochemical studies. The CoTe₂/GCE electrode exhibits enhanced electrochemical activity toward the electrooxidation of MNZ. The developed sensing electrode shows a linear range from 0.184 mM to 18.48 μM and a limit of detection of about 0.18 μM. In addition, we employ density functional theory (DFT) first-principles calculations to validate the experimental findings and comprehend the mechanism behind the interaction between CoTe₂ and MNZ molecules. The study highlights the effectiveness of 2D CoTe₂ as a dual-mode sensing platform for qualitative and quantitative assessment of MNZ pollutants, demonstrated by the integration of electrochemistry and spectroscopy and the critical role that 2D CoTe₂-based sensors can play in accurate and efficient pesticide detection, which is required for agricultural safety protocols and environmental monitoring.