Developing electrodes chemically modified with cucurbit[6]uril to detect 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) by voltammetry

Author(s)

Tadini, Maraine Catarina ^[1] ; Balbino, Marco Antonio ^[1] ; Eleoterio, Izabel Cristina ^[1] ; de Oliveira, Laura Siqueira ^[1] ; Dias, Luis Gustavo ^[1] ; Demets, Gregoire Jean-Francois ^[1] ; de Oliveira, Marcelo Firmino ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Filosofia Ciencias & Letras Ribeirao Preto, Dept Quim, BR-14040901 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Electrochimica Acta; v. 121, p. 188-193, MAR 1 2014.
• Web of Science Citations: 16

Abstract

This study aimed to develop an electrode chemically modified with cucurbit{[}6]uril to detect 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), the main active principle of ecstasy samples, by voltammetry. We modified the electrode surface with a film containing cucurbit{[}6]uril, Nafion, and methanol, using the dip coating or the spin coating technique. During analysis, we employed an electrochemical cell with a conventional three-electrode system and KCl solution (0.1 mol L-1) as the supporting electrolyte. We conducted cyclic voltammetry at concentrations ranging from 4.2 x 10(-6) to 4.8 x 10(-5)mol L-1. We also accomplished scanning electron microscopy, to investigate the structural behavior of the film that originated on the electrode surface. We obtained the following results when we used dip coating to prepare the modified electrode: standard deviation (SD) = 0.024 mu A, limit of detection (LOD) = 3.5 mu mol L-1, limit of quantification (LOQ) = 11.7 mu mol L-1, and amperometric sensitivity (m) = 20.9 x 10(3) mu A L mol(-1). As for spin coating, we obtained SD = 0.024 mu A, LOD =2.7 mu mol L-1, LOQ = 9.1 mu mol L-1 and m = 25.9 x 10(3) mu A mol L-1. These are very promising data: the modified electrode is more sensitive than the conventional glassy carbon electrode under the studied experimental conditions. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/17602-0 - Development of chemically modified electrodes by cucurbiturils for the voltammetric detection of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)
• Grantee: Maraine Catarina Tadini
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 12/00084-7 - Development of chemically modified electrodes for the voltammetric determination of cocaine, MDMA, LSD, and D-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in samples of forensic interest
• Grantee: Marcelo Firmino de Oliveira
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants