Nanosensor for Sensitive Detection of the New Psychedelic Drug 25I‐NBOMe.

This work reports the synthesis, characterization, and sensing behavior of a hybrid nanodevice for the detection of the potent abuse drug 25I‐NBOMe. The system is based on mesoporous silica nanoparticles, loaded with a fluorescent dye, functionalized with a serotonin derivative and capped with the 5‐HT2A receptor antibody. In the presence of 25I‐NBOMe the capping antibody is displaced, leading to pore opening and rhodamine B release. This delivery was ascribed to 5‐HT2A receptor antibody detachment from the surface due to its stronger coordination with 25I‐NBOMe present in the solution. The prepared nanodevice allowed the sensitive (limit of detection of 0.6 μm) and selective recognition of the 25I‐NBOMe drug (cocaine, heroin, mescaline, lysergic acid diethylamide, MDMA, and morphine were unable to induce pore opening and rhodamine B release). This nanodevice acts as a highly sensitive and selective fluorometric probe for the 25I‐NBOMe illicit drug in artificial saliva and in sweets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]