Characterization of Narcotics Using Differential Mobility Spektrometry

Abstract

The topic of this work is the use of differential mobility spectrometry for the characterization of narcotics. Studies were performed for amphetamine, methamphetamine, ketamine, heroin, and cocaine dissolved in methanol. Each target molecule appears at a specific compensation voltage under a fixed value of radiofrequency (RF) voltage. Values of compensation voltage of product ion peak at RF = 1480 V for cocaine, heroin, ketamine, methamphetamine, and amphetamine at 110 degrees C appears at 3.33, 2.43, 2.12, -0.56, and -4.9 V, respectively. Nonlinear function curves were used for graphical differentiation of measured narcotics. This study also deals with the effects of temperature on peak position in differential mobility spectra. This rapidly developed method allows characterization of five illicit drugs in 100 s.