6 Conclusions
The chapter tried to cover maximum aspects of materials that can be applied as
electrochemical sensing devices. It was observed that potentiometric techniques
especially ISEs have been proved to simple and inexpensive method of pollutant
detection and determination. The robustness and miniaturization can be increased
by application of solid contact support. Amperometric sensors were found to be
highly sensitive and selective for metal ion pollutants as well as organic entities. For
very low detection limits voltammetric sensors were seen to be very effective and
preconcentration step adds to its sensitivity. Improvements are still needed for
Conductometric sensors in terms of sensitivity by addition of more selective elements. Amperometric and Potentiometric techniques are much advantageous and
reliable as compared to conductometric measurements. Introduction of new technologies such as screen printing and molecular imprinting methods adds to the
selectivity and sensitivity of these electrochemical sensors. Screen printed electrodes are highly effective for in-situ determination of pollutants. Ionophores based
electrodes and analyte preconcentration plays another important role in adding
specificity and selectivity of the sensing devices. Overall analysis of these sensors
provide a suitable ground for their extensive application in field pollutant detection.
Majority of electrochemical sensors are fabricated using microfabrication or
nanofabrication techniques for miniaturization of devices and thereby enhancing the
portability of these sensors. Research need to carry out increasing the antifouling
property of the electrode surface and adding more life to the electrodes being used.
The field is growing slowly but with a steady pace. Both nanomaterials and biomolecules based electrochemical sensors are adding desirable benefits of sensitivity
and selectivity to the devices and hence playing an important role in detection and
determination of the pollutants. Upcoming time need more specific and selective
systems for which molecularly imprinted polymers and nanosensors will play a
major role.
References
1. Ahmed, I., Iqbal, H. M. N., & Dhama, K. (2017). Enzyme-based biodegradation of
hazardous pollutants: An overview. Journal of Experimental Biology and Agricultural
Sciences, 5, 402–411.
2. Bilal, M., Asgher, M., Iqbal, H. M. N., Hu, H., & Zhang, X. (2017). Bio-based degradation
of emerging endocrine-disrupting and dye-based pollutants using cross-linked enzyme
aggregates. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 24, 7035–7041.
3. Barrios-Estrada, C., de Jesús Rostro-Alanis, M., Muñoz-Gutiérrez, B. D., Iqbal, H. M.,
Kannan, S., & Parra-Saldívar, R. (2018). Emergent contaminants: endocrine disruptors and
their laccase-assisted degradation–A review. Science of the total environment, 612, 1516–
1531.
4. Brett, C. M. (2001). Electrochemical sensors for environmental monitoring. Strategy and
examples. Pure and Applied Chemistry, 73(12), 1969–1977.
178
A. Ojha
The chapter tried to cover maximum aspects of materials that can be applied as
electrochemical sensing devices. It was observed that potentiometric techniques
especially ISEs have been proved to simple and inexpensive method of pollutant
detection and determination. The robustness and miniaturization can be increased
by application of solid contact support. Amperometric sensors were found to be
highly sensitive and selective for metal ion pollutants as well as organic entities. For
very low detection limits voltammetric sensors were seen to be very effective and
preconcentration step adds to its sensitivity. Improvements are still needed for
Conductometric sensors in terms of sensitivity by addition of more selective elements. Amperometric and Potentiometric techniques are much advantageous and
reliable as compared to conductometric measurements. Introduction of new technologies such as screen printing and molecular imprinting methods adds to the
selectivity and sensitivity of these electrochemical sensors. Screen printed electrodes are highly effective for in-situ determination of pollutants. Ionophores based
electrodes and analyte preconcentration plays another important role in adding
specificity and selectivity of the sensing devices. Overall analysis of these sensors
provide a suitable ground for their extensive application in field pollutant detection.
Majority of electrochemical sensors are fabricated using microfabrication or
nanofabrication techniques for miniaturization of devices and thereby enhancing the
portability of these sensors. Research need to carry out increasing the antifouling
property of the electrode surface and adding more life to the electrodes being used.
The field is growing slowly but with a steady pace. Both nanomaterials and biomolecules based electrochemical sensors are adding desirable benefits of sensitivity
and selectivity to the devices and hence playing an important role in detection and
determination of the pollutants. Upcoming time need more specific and selective
systems for which molecularly imprinted polymers and nanosensors will play a
major role.
References
1. Ahmed, I., Iqbal, H. M. N., & Dhama, K. (2017). Enzyme-based biodegradation of
hazardous pollutants: An overview. Journal of Experimental Biology and Agricultural
Sciences, 5, 402–411.
2. Bilal, M., Asgher, M., Iqbal, H. M. N., Hu, H., & Zhang, X. (2017). Bio-based degradation
of emerging endocrine-disrupting and dye-based pollutants using cross-linked enzyme
aggregates. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 24, 7035–7041.
3. Barrios-Estrada, C., de Jesús Rostro-Alanis, M., Muñoz-Gutiérrez, B. D., Iqbal, H. M.,
Kannan, S., & Parra-Saldívar, R. (2018). Emergent contaminants: endocrine disruptors and
their laccase-assisted degradation–A review. Science of the total environment, 612, 1516–
1531.
4. Brett, C. M. (2001). Electrochemical sensors for environmental monitoring. Strategy and
examples. Pure and Applied Chemistry, 73(12), 1969–1977.
178
A. Ojha