Detection of cocaine and cathinones by electrochemical fingerprinting using nanomaterials

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.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 are therefore highly suitable for use in the detection of drugs of abuse.We have assessed the suitability of various nanoplatforms for the electrochemical detection of illicit drugs, such as graphene, singledwalled carbon nanotubes, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, gold nanoparticles and platinum nanoparticles. Gold and platinum nanoparticles were deposited by electrodeposition from a solution of chloroauric acid and chloroplatinic acid, respectively, by cyclic voltammetry.The electrochemical fingerprints of cocaine and cathinones were elucidated on the above-mentioned nanoplatforms. Square wave voltammetry was performed as a high-performance electrochemical method. This allowed for the sensitive and selective (class selectivity) of the investigated illicit drugs.