A novel high selective and sensitive metronidazole voltammetric sensor based on a molecularly imprinted polymer-carbon paste electrode

The design and construction of a highly selective voltammetric sensor for metronidazole by using a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) as recognition element were introduced. A metronidazole selective MIP and a nonimprinted polymer (NIP) were synthesized and then incorporated in the carbon paste electrodes (CPEs). The sensor was applied for metronidazole determination using cathodic stripping voltammetric method. The MIP–CP electrode showed very high recognition ability in comparison to NIP-CPE. Some parameters affecting the sensor response were optimized and then the calibration curve was plotted. Two dynamic linear ranges of 5.64 × 10−5 to 2.63 × 10−3 mg L−1 and 2.63 × 10−3 to 7.69 × 10−2 mg L−1 were obtained. The detection limit of the sensor was calculated as 3.59 × 10−5 mg L−1. This sensor was used successfully for metronidazole determination in biological fluids.