Manufacture of disposable electrochemical devices composed of hollow carbon nanospheres and carbon nanowires decorated with silver nanoparticles for the quantification of endocrine disruptors in supply water samples

Abstract

One of the major threats to the environment and, consequently, to human health is the release, in the environment, of the so-called endocrine disrupters. These are organic molecules, synthetic or not, which, because of their chemical properties, have the potential to interfere with the functioning of the endocrine system, that is, the functioning of the glands of the human organism. Several classes of organic molecules have this characteristic such as pesticides, some drugs, hormones and their metabolites, molecules such as bisphenol-A, etc. All are classified as emerging pollutants due to the drastic increase in their daily use with consequent waste disposal in the environment where there is no natural mechanism of degradation for such molecules. Thus, the toxic characteristics of this class of pollutants require continuous monitoring and specific regulation of government agencies, with the establishment of the maximum residues amount acceptable in food, water, etc. However, this regulation does not exist and monitoring, in water supply, is not done. This research project proposes the development of a fast, low cost and miniaturizable electrochemical analytical method for the in situ and real time detection of hormones in water supply. This method will be based on screen printed carbon electrodes modified with hollow carbon nanospheres decorated with silver nanoparticles for use in the quantification of hormones without the need for a conventional electrochemical cell. The electrochemical measurements will be made in an easily miniaturized equipment and compared, through an adequate statistical methodology, with those obtained by the standard method, that is, by high performance liquid chromatography. (AU)