Capture and Detection of Aerosolized Fentanyl in a Suspended Electrochemical Cell

Fentanyl is an extremely potent opioid that is commonly laced into other drugs. Fentanyl poses a danger to users but also to responders or bystanders who may unknowingly ingest a lethal dose (∼2 mg) of fentanyl from aerosolized powder or vapor. Electrochemistry offers a small, simple, and affordable platform for the direct detection of illicit substances; however, it is largely limited to solution-phase measurements. Here, we demonstrate the hands-free capture and electroanalyzation of aerosols containing fentanyl. A novel electrochemical cell is constructed by a microwire (cylindrical working electrode) traversing an ionic liquid film that is suspended within a conductive loop (reference/counter electrode). We provide a quantitative finite element simulation of the resulting electrochemical system. The suspended film maintains a high-surface area:volume, allowing the electrochemical cell to act as an effective aerosol collector. The low vapor pressure (negligible evaporation) of ionic liquid makes it a robust candidate for in-field applications, and the use of a hydrophobic ionic liquid allows for the extraction of fentanyl from solids and sprayed aqueous aerosols.