Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2025

08:31
A Closed-Type Wireless Nanopore Electrode for Analyzing Single Nanoparticles
Published on: March 20, 2019
7.6K
Highly Sensitive Fentanyl Detection Based on Nanoporous Electrochemical Immunosensors
N Tokranova1, N Cady1, A Lampher2
1SUNY Polytechnic Institute, Albany NY 12203.
Summary
This study presents a highly sensitive electrochemical sensor for fentanyl detection. The nanoporous silicon-based sensor offers rapid and accurate results, crucial for addressing the opioid crisis.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- The global opioid crisis necessitates rapid and accurate detection of potent opioids like fentanyl.
- Existing detection methods may lack the sensitivity or speed required for real-time monitoring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a highly sensitive electrochemical sensor for fentanyl detection.
- To utilize the synergistic effects of nanoporous silicon and antibody functionalization for enhanced detection.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of an electrochemical sensor using nanoporous silicon substrate with gold electrodes.
- Immobilization of specific antibodies onto the nanoporous silicon surface.
- Detection of fentanyl using square wave voltammetry.
Main Results:
- Achieved a detection limit of 6 ng/ml in phosphate buffer and 11.5 ng/ml in human sweat.
- Demonstrated high sensitivity leveraging the large interfacial area of nanoporous silicon and antibody specificity.
Conclusions:
- The developed sensor shows promise for rapid and on-site fentanyl detection.
- Future work aims to create a wearable sensor array for real-time, multi-opioid monitoring in sweat.

