Development of electrochemical devices for the determination of drugs of abuse

Abstract

Drug abuse is a global problem that affects all kind of social classes. The misuse and trafficking of these drugs have very strong and severe consequences on victims, such as social exclusion, imprisonment for drug possession or for driving under their influence, health problems or even death. Thus, research works have been orientated towards the development of analytical methodologies to accurately and precisely determine these compounds. The screen-printing technology allows the fabrication of small devices for in situ analyses, providing a wide variety of materials and designs, depending on the requirements of the analysis. Additionally, these devices can be modified with enzymes, antibodies or nanomaterials, in order to offer a greater selectivity towards the analysis of the compound of interest. Bearing this in mind, this PhD thesis is based on the development of miniaturized and disposable electrochemical sensors and biosensors for the sensitive and selective determination of drugs of abuse, such as cocaine and codeine, in biological, pharmaceutical and street samples