Enhanced ethylenediamine detection using WO₃-BiVO₄ nanoflakes heterostructure with exceptional adsorption capabilities: experimental and theoretical studies

The present work describes the synthesis of WO₃-BiVO₄-nanoflakes heterostructure (NFHs) by a single step hydrothermal method. The analysis of crystalline phases and structural behavior deduced the formation of good crystal quality WO₃-BiVO₄ NFHs. Under microscopic observation, the as-prepared WO₃-BiVO₄ displayed uniform and conspicuous nanoflakes like structures. The extensive density functional theory was studied to examine the electronic and band structures of as-prepared WO₃-BiVO₄ NFHs in terms of formation energy, charge density, density of state and band structures. The synthesized WO₃-BiVO₄ NFHs was used as sensing electrode towards the detection of ethylenediamine (EDA) chemical that displayed a good sensitivity of ∼318.52 mA·mM⁻¹cm⁻², excellent dynamic range of 1 μM-1 mM with detection limit of ∼94.51 nM and retention coefficient of ∼0.9929. WO₃-BiVO₄ NFHs electrode possessed the good reproducibility, stability, and repeatability towards EDA chemical. To the best of our knowledge, for the first time, the fabricated chemical sensor fabricated with WO₃-BiVO₄ NFHs electrode could be promising electrode materials to identify dangerous chemicals at very low concentration in environment. Importantly, the fabricated chemical sensor can be effective for environmental monitoring.