Roy Zamora
Costa Rica Institute of Technology, Costa Rica
Title: New approach of flexible electrodes coated with carbon nanotubes/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT) for mancozeb analysis in water
Biography
Biography: Roy Zamora
Abstract
The extensive use of pesticides in crops generates a negative environmental impact affecting water quality and organisms. The intensive use of mancozeb pesticide (MCZ), in developing countries such as Costa Rica can cause severe chronic diseases in people. Therefore, it is paramount to access the residual amount of this agrochemical in water bodies. The purpose of this work is to develop a novel and economical electrode to detect mancozeb in water by electrochemical techniques. The electrodes of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) mixed with CNTs were characterized using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques and its recovery after leaching through a sand column. Cyclic voltammetry was applied to characterize the electrochemical behavior of MCZ and its quantification in commercial formulations. The PEDOT/MWCNT electrode provides a robust electrochemical response in the linear range in addition to a faster procedure that can be conducted with fewer solvents and is more environmentally friendly compared to other techniques used to measure MCZ. Measures of this signal intensity as a function of concentration were used to quantify MCZ. Linearity yields a value over R>0.99 in the range from 25 to 150 μmol/L. The recovery value obtained for the tap water was 51.2 μmol/L equivalent to 102%. Speed on signal outputs and the feasible procedure make this new approach a candidate to undertake monitoring programs for ecological, agricultural and hydrological applications.
