Electrospun nanofibers versus drop casting films for designing an electronic tongue: comparison of performance for monitoring geosmin and 2‐methylisoborneol in water samples

Abstract

Geosmin (GSM) and 2‐Methylisoborneol (MIB) are substances commonly found in river water and arise due to eutrophication process. Such contaminants affect the organoleptic properties of water, hampering its consumption, and use in beverage industries. As the human perception threshold for these compounds is low, the devices aimed at their detection must be sensitive enough to detect concentrations as low as a few nanogram per liter in order to guarantee the water quality parameters. Due to the experimental simplicity, fast analysis, portability, and capability for on‐site analysis, the use of electronic tongues and electronic noses employing hybrid and composite materials are potential for GSM and MIB determination. In this work, two distinct electronic tongues were applied in the electrical determination of GSM and MIB in pure and river water. The difference between them consisted in the type of polymer processing used in the fabrication of sensing units. The thin films deposited onto gold IDEs were based on polyamide 6, polypirrole, and polyaniline, but fabricated by drop‐casting and electrospinning. The differences in the electronic tongue performances were correlated to the distinct morphologies of the sensitive layers. Both devices were able to discriminate pure water from solutions tainted with GSM and MIB in concentration as low as 25 ng L−1, with high data correlation and a good reproducibility.