A Label-free Photoelectrochemical Sensor Based on Bi2S3@Nitrogen Doped Graphene Quantum Dots for Ascorbic Acid Determination

We report a photoelectrochemical(PEC) sensor for selective detection of ascorbic(AA) by introducing Z-scheme Bi₂S₃@nitrogen doped graphene quantum dots(Bi₂S₃@NGQDs) heterojunctions as efficient photoactive species. The Bi₂S₃@NGQDs were successfully prepared by a simple hydrothermal process, and the microstructures and components were investigated by various characterized techniques. The photocurrent of the Bi₂S₃@NGQDs-based sensor increased significantly in the presence of AA and showed excellent selectivity and stability for AA detection in the presence of some other antioxidants and small molecules. A wide linear range of 0.1-5 μmol/L and 5-1380 μmol/L was achieved for the AA detection with a detection limit of 36 nmol/L(S/N=3). Moreover, the proposed PEC sensor achieved the determination of AA in real red peppers and commercially available vitamin C tablets samples.