We describe a method for the determination of cocaine that is based on a glassy carbon electrode modified with a nanocomposite consisting of multiwalled carbon nanotubes, an ionic liquid, and chitosan. The electrode was made cocaineresponsive by immobilizing a cocaine-specific aptamer and platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) on the modified electrode. The use of PtNPs resulted in the acceleration of the electron transfer kinetics of the reduction of the redox probe rutin and enhances sensitivity. The sensor, best operated at a working voltage of 260 mV vs. Ag/AgCl, has a linear response to cocaine in the 1 nM to 11 μM concentration range, and the detection limit is 100 pM (at an S/N ratio of 3). We think this strategy to represent a promising platform for the sensitive and selective determination of cocaine. The sensor is adequately stable and was successfully applied to the determination of cocaine in spiked serum.
