Gonçalo Barreto

Research Areas

PhD Thesis: “Development of Nanostrutures for Detection of Triclosan Traces on Aquatic Environments"

Adviser: Prof.ª Doutora Maria de Fátima Raposo

The detection of pollutants such as triclosan in the environment is a major issue, particularly in water supplies, water courses and aquifers, which are known to be mainly contaminated by pesticides, industrial products and emergent pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs). No commercial sensors for monitoring and detecting these pollutants have been developed so far. In this regard, the electronic tongue concept, based on AC impedance measurements, can be a valuable tool towards contaminants probing. Even so, this possibility presents difficulties, namely on the AC impedance spectra interpretation and on the application of mathematical methods which allow finding classification patterns with consequent contaminant detection. This proposal addresses new methods to surpass these difficulties.