Publication
Title
Design of smart nanoparticles for the electrochemical detection of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine to allow in field screening by law enforcement officers
Author
Abstract
A portable and highly sensitive sensor was designed for the specific detection of 3,4-methyl-enedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA), in a range of field-testing situations. The sensor can detect MDMA in street samples, even when other controlled substances drugs, or adulterants are present. In this work, we report for the first time a sensor using electroactive molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles computationally designed to recognize MDMA and then produced using solid phase synthesis. A composite comprising chitosan, reduced graphene oxide, and molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles synthesized for MDMA for the first time was immobilized on screen-printed carbon electrodes. The sensors displayed a satisfactory sensitivity (106.8 nA x mu M-1), limit of detection (1.6 nM; 0.31 ng/mL), and recoveries (92-99%). The accuracy of the results was confirmed through validation using Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with tandem Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). This technology could be used in forensic analysis and make it possible to selectively detect MDMA in street samples. A highly sensitive and portable sensor has been developed to detect MDMA in street samples. It uses electroactive molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles computationally designed to recognize MDMA, which were immobilized on screen-printed carbon electrodes with chitosan and graphene. The sensor showed good sensitivity and satisfactory recoveries (92-99%), confirmed with UPLC-MS/MS validation. This technology has the potential to be used in forensic analysis.image
Language
English
Source (journal)
Drug testing and analysis. - -
Publication
Hoboken : Wiley , 2023
ISSN
1942-7603 [print]
1942-7611 [online]
DOI
10.1002/DTA.3605
Volume/pages
(2023) , p. 1-14
ISI
001107703400001
Pubmed ID
37991112
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
Border detection of illicit drugs and precursors by highly accurate electrosensors (BorderSens).
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 09.01.2024
Last edited 19.01.2024
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