Biocompatible InP/ZnSeS quantum dots/MXene composite as highly sensitive electrochemical sensors for carbendazim pesticide

In this study, we prepared InP/ZnSeS QDs anchored on MXene hybrid composite (IZQ-MX) for precise electrochemical sensing of carbendazim (CBZ) pesticide in food and environmental samples. The resulting electrochemical detection of CBZ exhibited a wide linear range of 0.019–527.6 μM, with a low detection limit of 14.59 nM and high sensitivity of 9.9026 µA·µM⁻¹·cm⁻². The environmental safety of IZQ-MX composite was further studied using in-vitro and in-vivo model. In L929 cells, exposure to IZQ-MX (0–100 nM) did not induce any significant change in cell viability, intracellular ROS generation and morphological changes. The exposure to IZQ-MX (0–200 nM) in C. elegans has also no significant change in primary and secondary endpoints of nematodes, neuronal development, DAF-16/FOXO and SKN-1/Nrf-2 transcription factors regulating the antioxidant genes. Environmental safety assessment of the IZQ-MX composite was performed using in-vitro and in-vivo models which demonstrated excellent biocompatibility. This work demonstrated the potential of IZQ-MX as significant electrocatalyst in sensitive and selective detection of CBZ for practical applications.