Nanosensors for detection of pesticides in water

Water is an invaluable resource for human being life and other life forms on the planet. The increasing growth of human population and chaotic spreading of agricultural lands have been endangering water supplies around the globe. The indiscriminate use of pesticides is contaminating both superficial water bodies and groundwater. Detection of such micropollutants is mandatory in order to assure the quality of water and avoid environment contamination. Recently there have been evaluated more precise and inexpensive methods of pesticide detection in water at very low concentrations. The nanossensors become an emerging and promising technology for biosensing applications, due to their small size, fast response, and high sensitivity. The aim of this review will be the description of the structure, operation, and applicability of cantilevers nanossensors for pollutants in water. Also discussed in the chapter are the following: the surface functionalization methods, limit of detection, and mechanism of pesticide recognition.