NanoMIPs-based electrochemical sensors for selective detection of amphetamine

A highly sensitive and portable electrochemical sensor based on molecularly imprinted nanoparticles (nanoMIPs) was developed. NanoMIPs were computationally designed for specific recognition of amphetamine, and then synthetized using solid phase synthesis. NanoMIPs were immobilized onto screen-printed carbon electrodes using a composite film comprising chitosan, nanoMIPs, and graphene oxide.Ferrocenylmethyl methacrylate was incorporated in nanoMIPs allowing electrochemical detection. The signal recorded for the electrochemical oxidation of ferrocene has proven to be dependent on the presence of amphetamine interacting with nanMIPs. The sensor was tested successfully with street samples, with high sensitivity and satisfactory recoveries (from 100.9% to 107.6%). These results were validated with UPL-MS/MS. The present technology is suitable for forensic applications in selective determination of amphetamine in street samples.

Automated summary

A highly sensitive and portable electrochemical sensor based on molecularly imprinted nanoparticles (nanoMIPs) was developed for the selective determination of amphetamine in street samples. The sensor employed nanoMIPs designed to specifically recognize amphetamine, which were then synthesized using solid phase synthesis. The nanoMIPs were immobilized onto screen-printed carbon electrodes using a composite film containing chitosan, nanoMIPs, and graphene oxide. Incorporation of ferrocenylmethyl methacrylate in nanoMIPs enabled electrochemical detection, with the signal dependent on the interaction between amphetamine and nanoMIPs. The sensor exhibited high sensitivity and satisfactory recoveries when tested with street samples, and the results were validated using UPL-MS/MS.