Fentanyl analysis at carbon paste electrodes modified with Schiff base complexes and screen-printed electrodes coupled to characterization of seized amphetamine samples employing SERS: contributions to public healthcare policies

Abstract

Indirect fentanyl consumption by ingestion of MDMA samples has been causing deaths due to overdose. This research project aims to apply modified sensors and screen-printed electrodes to detect fentanyl. The use of Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) will make the project even more robust. The ultimate goal is to construct an electrode that can be employed as a commercial sensor, thereby contributing to healthcare policies. Familiarization with the SERS technique will be possible through the visit to the laboratory that has pioneered its application in forensic samples. SERS analyses will be carried out by using metallic nanoparticles to amplify the fentanyl Raman signal in samples that mimic seized MDMA matrixes. Data will be recorded in a Raman spectrometer equipped with an excitation laser. Electrochemical analyses will be performed in a potentiotast linked to a computer. The electrode cell arrangement will include an Ag/AgCl reference electrode, a platinum wire as counter electrode, and a commercial screen-printed electrode or a carbon paste electrode modified with a Schiff base complex (prepared during the research project associated with the present scholarship application) as working electrode. First, cyclic voltammetry will be conducted for both electrodes. Then, their capacity to quantify fentanyl will be verified by means of more sensitive techniques. Next, qualitative data (from SERS experiments) and quantitative data (from electrochemistry assays) will be compared. Building a method that can analyze a well-known profile of seized MDMA samples will contribute to public healthcare policies. (AU)