Nanoparticle based gas-sensing array for pesticide detection

Abstract The present paper discusses the development of a pesticide gas sensor based on self-assembled nanoparticle networks and four distinctive polymer coatings; the sensor is used as a sensing system for chlorpyrifos detection. For the fabrication of the sensing system the sputtering technique is employed for the simultaneous fabrication and deposition of the nanoparticle film while 4 different polymer coatings are then spin-coated on top. The sensors are ultimately able to distinguish between chlorpyrifos (a commonly used pesticide) and its solvent, detecting chlorpyrifos concentrations as low as 0.7 ppb. Each of the 4 polymer coatings produces a unique sensor response when in the presence of chlorpyrifos vapours; this has served as the basis for the development of a multi-sensor array for chlorpyrifos detection. The capability of the system in distinguishing between pesticide and pesticide solvent has been supported by results obtained by means of Principal Component Analysis (PCA).