Electrochemical detection of mephedrone using a graphene screen-printed electrode: a new sensitive and selective approach to identify synthetic cathinones in forensic analysis

Abstract

Mephedrone (MEP) is an illicit stimulant drug that belongs to the synthetic cathinones (SC) class, which has been widely used for recreational purposes and reported in forensic analysis. The preliminary...

Zwitterionic oligomers of 3-aminobenzoic acid on screen-printed electrodes: structure, properties and forensic application

“…Currently, chromatographic methods are often used for a definitive identification of SCs in forensic laboratories. 5 While these methods are sensitive and reliable, they also come with several drawbacks, including long analysis times, the need for expensive equipment, and/or complicated sample preparation. It is important to develop a preliminary identification of SCs using screening tests, in which electrochemical sensors could be an alternative to colorimetric tests.…”

“…Although the use of potentiometry with ion-selective electrodes has been reported, 8–10 most of the electrochemical methods used in these studies were voltammetric methods based on the use of different unmodified and modified electrodes. 5,11–22 The use of unmodified working electrodes often leads to overlapping signals of structural analogues, and therefore limits the selectivity of voltammetric detection. Modification of the electrode surface with a selective receptor, nanoparticles or a polymeric film, is a way to improve the electrochemical signal of individual SCs and to achieve their selective determination.…”