Methamphetamine determination using label‑free impedimetric aptasensor based on ceria nanocomposite

Abstract

Progress of highly sensitive analytical methods for illicit drugs is one of the serious topics in addressing new challenges based on the consumption of these drugs worldwide. Electrochemical aptamer-based sensors have been widely considered as potent analytical tools providing valuable portability, quick response, sensitivity and specicity in addition to lower charge and simplicity. Herein, a novel aptasensor is presented to determine methamphetamine (METH) via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Nanocerium oxide (CeO2NPs) decorated on reduced graphene oxide was fabricated to modify glassy carbon electrode (GCE) for METH determination. EIS using [Fe(CN)6]−3/−4 redox probe was exploited as a precise detection method for METH determination. The proposed label-free aptasensor was able to detect METH from 0.5 to 250 nM (limit of detection of 0.16 nM). The proposed aptasensor exhibits excellent repeatability and selectivity as well as was eectively employed to determine METH in a spiked urine sample.