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“Design of smart nanoparticles for the electrochemical detection of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine to allow in field screening by law enforcement officers”. Truta FM, Cruz AG, Dragan A-M, Tertis M, Cowen T, Stefan M-G, Topala T, Slosse A, Piletska E, Van Durme F, Kiss B, De Wael K, Piletsky SA, Cristea C, Drug testing and analysis , 1 (2023). http://doi.org/10.1002/DTA.3605
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
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Pharmacology. Therapy; Antwerp Electrochemical and Analytical Sciences Lab (A-Sense Lab)
DOI: 10.1002/DTA.3605
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“Electrochemical fingerprints of illicit drugs on graphene and multi-walled carbon nanotubes”. Dragan A-M, Truta FM, Tertis M, Florea A, Schram J, Cernat A, Feier B, De Wael K, Cristea C, Oprean R, Frontiers In Chemistry 9, 641147 (2021). http://doi.org/10.3389/FCHEM.2021.641147
Abstract: Illicit drugs use and abuse remains an increasing challenge for worldwide authorities and, therefore, it is important to have accurate methods to detect them in seized samples, biological fluids and wastewaters. They are recently classified as the latest group of emerging pollutants as their consumption increased tremendously in recent years. Nanomaterials have gained much attention over the last decade in the development of sensors for a myriad of applications. The applicability of these nanomaterials, functionalized or not, significantly increases and it is therefore highly suitable for use in the detection of illicit drugs. We have assessed the suitability of various nanoplatforms, such as graphene (GPH), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) for the electrochemical detection of illicit drugs. GPH and MWCNTs were chosen as the most suitable platforms and cocaine, 3,4-methylendioxymethamfetamine (MDMA), 3-methylmethcathinone (MMC) and alpha-pyrrolidinovalerophenone (PVP) were tested. Due to the hydrophobicity of the nanomaterials-based platforms which led to low signals, two strategies were followed namely, pretreatment of the electrodes in sulfuric acid by cyclic voltammetry and addition of Tween 20 to the detection buffer. Both strategies led to an increase in the oxidation signal of illicit drugs. Binary mixtures of illicit drugs with common adulterants found in street samples were also investigated. The proposed strategies allowed the sensitive detection of illicit drugs in the presence of most adulterants. The suitability of the proposed sensors for the detection of illicit drugs in spiked wastewaters was finally assessed.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
Impact Factor: 3.994
DOI: 10.3389/FCHEM.2021.641147
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