Sensors of conducting polymers for detection of pesticides in contaminated water

A sensor array composed by different sensing materials, viz., poly(o-ethoxyaniline), polyaniline, lignin and humic substance, was used to study the contamination levels in water by pesticides. This array was characterized by electrical measurements (electrochemical impedance spectroscopy), atomic force microscopy and ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry. Results showed that the sensor array showed to be efficient for detection of atrazine, imazaquin, metribuzin and paraquat in contaminated waters, once the limit of detection for each sensor laid well bellow the values established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).