Adaptation of 2D MXenes: Ti3C2Tx / Ti2CTx nanofilms for use as SERS platforms in the detection of standard organoarsenical species AsHCs, AsFAs, and AsSugar-PL typical in marine species

Fish and shellfish, including fish, crustaceans, and marine algae, are the largest contributors to arsenic (As) exposure in many human populations. In contrast to the dominance of inorganic As in water and many terrestrial foods, As in marine foods is mainly present in the form of organic compounds. To date, human exposure and toxicological evaluations have focused on inorganic As, while organic As has generally been considered non-toxic. However, high concentrations of organic As in seafood, as well as the often complex speciation of As, can create complications when assessing dietary As exposure (Taylor et al., 2017).

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) allows the detection and quantification of compounds, among others, arsenicals, reaching concentrations of up to a few micrograms per liter (algunos ppb), as reported in: (Jiang, Wang, Zhang, Zhou, & Zhao, 2016), (Chan, and others, 2017), (Quiroz, and others, 2018), (Quiroz, and others, 2021).

This project proposes the adaptation of the 2D MXenes nano-films: Ti3C2Tx / Ti2CTx and its application as an active SERS substrate for the detection of standard organic As typical of marine species to be developed in the facilities of the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru.