Handheld ultrasensitive fentanyl sensor can distinguish between opioids

A handheld electrochemical sensor comprised of carbon nanotubes and gold nanoparticles can detect fentanyl at the femtomolar level and distinguish between different opioids.

To address the growing trend of fentanyl being used as an adulterant in other illicit drugs, the researchers – who were from the University of Pittsburgh Kenneth P Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences in the US – said it was crucial to develop technologies that can quickly and accurately identify fentanyl from other opioids and quantify trace amounts of the drug.