Recent trends and future perspectives of emergent analytical techniques for methamphetamine sensing

Methamphetamine (METH) is one of the most widely abused illicit synthetic drugs globally, necessitating the development of rapid detection technologies. Conventional instrumental analytical methods are costly and cumbersome to perform. Sensors have emerged as a research hotspot, and METH detection sensors can be categorized into six types based on the signal energy form, recognition mode, and detection principles: colorimetric sensors, fluorescent sensors, surface-enhanced Raman sensors, surface plasmon resonance sensors, electrochemical sensors, and electrochemiluminescent sensors. This paper reviews breakthroughs in the design and construction of METH sensors from 2020 to the present, focusing on innovative detection mechanisms, nanomaterial enhancement strategies, and intelligent integration technologies. Additionally, we analyze current challenges and explore future directions, such as the development of wearable devices and artificial intelligence-assisted signal processing, aiming to provide valuable insights for ongoing research in this field.