Design of smart nanoparticles for the electrochemical detection of 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine to allow in field screening by law enforcement officers

Abstract

AbstractA 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 × μM−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.