Abstract
This study presents the experimental testing of a gas-sensing array, for the detection of two commercially available pesticides (i.e., Chloract 48 EC and Nimrod), towards its eventual use along a commercial smart-farming system. The array is comprised of four distinctive sensing devices based on nanoparticles, each functionalized with a different gas-absorbing polymeric layer. As discussed herein, the sensing array is able to identify as well as quantify three gas-analytes, two pesticide solutions, and relative humidity, which acts as a reference analyte. All of the evaluation experiments were conducted in close to real-life conditions; specifically, the sensors response towards the three analytes was tested in three relative humidity backgrounds while the effect of temperature was also considered. The unique response patterns generated after the exposure of the sensing-array to the two gas-analytes were analyzed using the common statistical analysis tool Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The sensing array, being compact, low-cost, and highly sensitive, can be easily integrated with pre-existing crop-monitoring solutions. Given that there are limited reports for effective pesticide gas-sensing solutions, the proposed gas-sensing technology would significantly upgrade the added-value of the integrated system, providing it with unique advantages.
Highlights
Surface coverage, in relation available fabrication parameters (i.e., interdigitated electrodes (IDEs) geometry, surface coverdevice conductivity etc.); the devices discussed in the current paper were fabricated acage, device conductivity etc.); the devices discussed in the current paper were fabricated cording to previous optimization studies
Such sensors rely on the polymer layer according to previous optimization studies [24,26]. Such sensors rely on the polymer for interacting with any the vicinity of the sensor; this interaction in turn modifies layer for interacting withVOC
A hybrid gas-sensing array based on platinum nanoparticles and functionalized with four distinctive polymeric films, was tested as a potential “e-nose” for detecting, quantifying, and separating between two commercially available pesticides (Nimrod and Chloract 48 EC) and relative humidity (R.H.)
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. In the field of pesticide detection, pollutants are usually identified and quantified via analytical methods and techniques such as chromatographic and coupled chromatographicspectrometric procedures [1,2] or electroanalytical/voltammetric techniques [3]; bupirimate as well as chlorpyrifos are usually quantified using all aforementioned methods. The need, for fast, remote, and automated in-the-field determination of pesticides is increasing. Miniaturized, cost-effective, low-power, and sensitive sensors are in high demand, with the main technologies in the field of pesticide detection being Electrochemical, optical, and piezoelectric biosensors [4,5,6] as well as molecularly imprinted polymer sensors [7]
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