Advanced MoS ₂ ‐Based Electrochemical Platform for Trace Tartrazine Detection With Light‐Enhanced Signal Amplification

ABSTRACT Ensuring food safety is a pressing challenge, as Tartrazine (TZ), a widely used synthetic dye in beverages, snacks, and cosmetics, poses health risks (allergies and hyperactivity) with excessive consumption. Current detection methods are often cumbersome, costly, or insensitive, highlighting the need for rapid, accurate monitoring. This study develops a highly responsive electrochemical sensor by modifying glassy carbon electrodes (GCEs) with molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ) nanoparticles for precise quantification of TZ in complex food matrices. Leveraging MoS 2 exceptional electrocatalysis (edge‐active S‐sites), enhanced conductivity, and strong adsorption, the sensor was rigorously characterized using x‐ray diffraction (XRD), x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field emission scanning electronic microscope (FE‐SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Electrochemical analyses (photoelectrochemical tests, DPV, amperometry, CV) revealed three linear TZ ranges (2.9–144 µM, 3.2–155 µM, and 3.5–125 µM) at pH 7.0, with an ultralow detection limit of 0.041 µM (S/N = 3). The MoS 2 /GCE showed robust durability (>100 cycles), reproducibility (RSD < 3.5%, n = 5), and selectivity amid interferents, as validated by spiked‐food recoveries (95%–99%) and HPLC cross‐checks. Overall, the MoS 2 ‐based photocurrent‐enhanced electrochemical sensor demonstrates a promising pathway for rapid, accurate, and cost‐effective TZ detection, supporting its potential translation to real‐world food safety monitoring and future multiplex dye analysis.