Cover Feature: A Benzocaine‐Induced Local Near‐Surface pH Effect: Influence on the Accuracy of Voltammetric Cocaine Detection (Analysis & Sensing 1/2021)

The Cover Feature shows that the voltammetric detection of cocaine is affected by the presence of benzocaine, a common adulterant in street samples. Benzocaine causes a large shift and current drop of the cocaine signal, resulting in a clouded and false negative analysis. This behaviour was shown to be a consequence of a benzocaine-induced near-surface pH effect. This local pH change was evidenced and monitored by multiple electrochemical and fluorescence approaches by using a green fluorescent fluorophore. More information can be found in the Full Paper by K. De Wael and co-workers.