Thesis

Innovations in electrochemical sensing for the forensic analysis of emerging synthetic cathinones

Creator

Alshammari, Eqbal Saleh

Rights statement

Strathclyde Thesis Copyright

Awarding institution

University of Strathclyde

Date of award

2026

Thesis identifier

T18114

Person Identifier (Local)

202250503

Qualification Level

Doctoral (Postgraduate)

Qualification Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department, School or Faculty

Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry

Abstract

Synthetic cathinones (SCat) constitute the second largest class of emerging novel psychoactive substances (NPS) appearing on the illicit drug market, primarily sold online. Their recreational use represents a significant public health problem. Despite their prevalence, there remains a significant gap in effective screening methods capable of rapidly determining the presence of SCats. Indeed, forensic and toxicological laboratories face substantial challenges in identifying SCats in seized materials and biological samples due to the broad structural diversity and continual emergence of new analogues. Although gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) remains the gold standard analytical technique, the necessity for rapid, accessible screening methods persists. The increasing hospitalisations and fatalities associated with SCat use further highlights the urgency for fast, on-site detection strategies for point-of-use detection and toxicological screening. This research presents the development of an electrochemical screening approach designed to address this gap and enable rapid, on-site detection of SCats at crime scenes and/or within emergency rooms. The electrochemical method demonstrated strong potential for screening of selected SCats and their primary metabolites. Moreover, this approach proved capable of detection at micromolar concentrations, with a limit of detection of ~ 1 μM with minimal sample pre-treatment, underscoring its feasibility as a practical and rapid screening solution.

Advisor / supervisor

Dennany, Lynn

Resource Type

Doctoral thesis

DOI

10.48730/t837-2p44

Funder

Kuwait. Idārat al-Mīzānīyah al-ʻĀmmah

Embargo Note

This thesis is restricted to Strathclyde users only until 12th August 2031.

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