Date of Award

5-2026

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

School

Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Committee Chair

Dr. Wujian Miao

Committee Chair School

Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Committee Member 2

Dr. Song Guo

Committee Member 2 School

Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Committee Member 3

Dr. Jacques Kessl

Committee Member 3 School

Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Committee Member 4

Dr. Julie Pigza

Committee Member 4 School

Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Committee Member 5

Dr. Karl Wallace

Committee Member 5 School

Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Abstract

The reliable identification of illicit drugs, high explosives, and chemical warfare agents such as nerve agents (organophosphates) is essential for chemical security, forensic investigations, environmental protection, and defense-related applications. These hazardous compounds can cause severe harm even at very low concentrations, creating a strong demand for analytical techniques that are sensitive, rapid, and adaptable for on-site analysis. Among the available approaches, electrochemical techniques have emerged as powerful tools due to their versatility, cost effectiveness, portability and operational simplicity. Illicit drugs and high explosives such as trinitrotoluene (TNT) and cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX) are typically detected based on their characteristic electrochemical oxidation or reduction behaviors. Nerve agents are commonly identified by enzyme inhibition mechanisms, particularly acetylcholinesterase inhibition, or by direct electrochemical redox reactions. Recent advances in electrode modification using nanomaterials, conductive polymers, biomolecules, and molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have significantly enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and detection limits. Electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) has gained considerable attention due to its exceptionally low background signal, high sensitivity, wide dynamic range, and minimal optical interference, enabling precise detection of trace analytes. Likewise, MIPs offer important advantages, including serving as synthetic recognition elements that provide high selectivity, chemical stability, and resistance to harsh environmental conditions. When combined and integrated into electrochemical platforms, MIPs enable selective binding of target molecules while maintaining robustness and reusability, making them attractive alternatives to biological receptors. This dissertation comprises five chapters focused on the electrochemical sensing of several hazardous compounds. The first chapter introduces voltammetric and ECL techniques integrated with MIPs for the selective detection of analytes. The second and third chapters describe the development of MIP-based ECL sensors for fentanyl and high explosives, highlighting the versatility of this sensing strategy. The fourth chapter investigates nerve agent detection using electrochemical probes based on coumarin-enamine derivatives. The final chapter summarizes the overall findings for electrochemical sensor development.

ORCID ID

0009-0003-8355-1085

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