High-performance fentanyl molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensing platform designed through molecular...

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Materials Science
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Fentanyl and its derivatives are potent opioids with high toxicity and fatality rates, posing significant challenges in drug abuse control.
• The complex structure and trace concentrations of fentanyl necessitate rapid, sensitive, and accurate detection methods.
• Current detection methods face limitations in speed, sensitivity, and accuracy for trace fentanyl analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel molecular imprinting electrochemical sensor for the sensitive and selective detection of trace fentanyl.
• To utilize molecular simulations to guide the design and synthesis of the fentanyl sensor.
• To validate the sensor's performance through experimental testing and application in real samples.

Main Methods:

• Molecular simulations were employed to identify optimal functional monomers and predict fentanyl recognition sites.
• Electrochemical deposition of reduced graphene oxide (ErGO) on a glassy carbon electrode enhanced catalytic activity and electron transfer.
• One-step electropolymerization formed a fentanyl molecularly imprinted film, enhancing sensing selectivity.

Main Results:

• The sensor demonstrated a wide detection range from 3.84 × 10^-9 to 1.72 × 10^-6 mol L^-1.
• A low detection limit of 1.28 × 10^-9 mol L^-1 was achieved, indicating high sensitivity.
• The sensor exhibited excellent selectivity, repeatability, and stability, with successful application in human serum samples.

Conclusions:

• The developed molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor offers high selectivity and sensitivity for trace fentanyl detection.
• Molecular simulations effectively guided the sensor's development, aligning with experimental outcomes.
• The sensor shows significant potential for practical applications in forensic analysis and drug abuse monitoring.