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Date of Award

2026

Document Type

Restricted Thesis: Campus only access

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Department

Chemistry

First Advisor

Dr. Michael Leopold

Abstract

Amperometric electrochemical sensing schemes which are easily fabricated and are able to directly relate measured current with analyte concentration remain a promising strategy for the development of portable, in situ detection of commonly employed adulterants. Xylazine is a nonnarcotic compound designed for veterinary use as a sedative known as Rompun.® Xylazine is increasingly being abused as a recreational drug, as an opioid adulterant and, because of its chemical properties, has found unfortunate prominence as a date rape drug spiked into beverages. In this study, a systematic exploration and development of fouling-resistant amperometric xylazine sensors is presented. The sensing strategy features layer-by-layer modification of glassy carbon electrodes with carbon nanotubes for sensitivity and the engagement of cyclodextrin host-guest chemistry in conjunction with polyurethane semi-permeable membranes for selectivity. Optimization of different materials and parameters during development created a greater fundamental understanding of the interfacial electrochemistry allowing for more informed subsequent design of effective sensors exhibiting xylazine selectivity, effective sensitivity, rapid response times (< 20 sec), and an estimated limits of detection of as low as ~ 1 ppm. Most importantly, the xylazine sensors are versatile and robust, easily fabricated from common materials, and can effectively detect xylazine at < 10 ppm in both common alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, requiring only minimal volume (20 μL) of the spiked beverage for standard addition analysis.

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Available for download on Thursday, May 17, 2029

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