Optimization of MnV2O6 and (h-BN) as Water Treatment Hybrid Nanocomposite: A Concise Study of Supra-Interaction-Mediated Electrochemical Sensing and Photodegradation of Chlorpyrifos Contaminant

Despite advancements in analyte-specific sensor design, there remains significant research interest in developing novel systems to meet emerging analytical demands. In this context, hybrid nanocomposite s composed of diverse materials have shown promise, as they enable synergistic tuning of physicochemical properties for multifunctional applications. This study investigates the potential of MnV₂O₆, a material with unique electro-analytical and photocatalytic characteristics, to enhance the performance of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), a 2D nanomaterial, in sensor and catalytic applications. The MnV₂O₆/h-BN nanocomposite was synthesized via a hydrothermal method and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) confirmed that the composite exhibits superior electrochemical properties compared with its individual components. The MnV₂O₆/h-BN nanocomposite was optimized for electrochemical sensing of the pesticide chlorpyrifos (CPS), achieving a linear detection range of 10–210 μM with a low limit of detection (LOD) at 0.5 nM. Beyond sensing, the nanocomposite’s photocatalytic performance was assessed, demonstrating an 89% degradation efficiency of CPS under visible light, with significant photostability and reproducibility across multiple cycles. Density functional theory (DFT) was employed to elucidate the interaction mechanisms between CPS and MnV₂O₆/h-BN. Overall, the MnV₂O₆/h-BN nanocomposite exhibits dual-function capabilities for water treatment applications, consolidating both electrochemical detection and photocatalytic degradation of CPS as a modular contaminant. This study underscores the potential of MnV₂O₆/h-BN as a versatile material for environmental remediation through combined sensing and degradation function.