Identification of stimulant drugs by surface-enhanced Raman spectrometry on colloidal silver

Abstract

The surface-enhanced Raman (SER) spectra of stimulant drugs, including mefenorex, pentylenetetrazole, l-amphetamine and pemoline, were obtained on colloidal silver. Silver colloids are prepared in a single step, at room temperature, by chemical reduction of Ag + with sodium tetrahydroborate. Spectra are recorded using drug concentrations at the μ g ml −1 level. Individual drugs can be identified by characteristic vibrational bands. The SER spectrum of human urine and that of human urine spiked with mixtures of stimulant drugs are reported.