Abstract

In the present study, a sensitive and specific electrochemical sensor is developed based on titanium dioxide and ionic liquid nano-composite (TiO(2)NPs/IL) for the measurement of Zolpidem (ZLP) as a hypnotic and sleep-promoting drug. The nano-composite provides high surface area and catalytic ability in ZLP oxidation at the modified carbon paste electrode (CPE). The obtained results of the differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) method reflect a wide linear range (0.1 - 90 mu M) and an unprecedented limit of detection (LOD = 33 nM) for the ZLP sensor comparable with previously reported methods. The TiO(2)NPs/IL/CPE remarkably enriched the electrochemical response to ZLP oxidation and it has good stability, repeatability, and reproducibility. The TiO(2)NPs/IL/ CPE is mechanically stable, cost-effective and simple, with suitable electrochemical and adsorption properties in comparison to the pencil graphite electrode (PGE) and glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The potential applicability of the sensor was successfully applied for distinguishing the ZLP in human plasma and drug formulation samples.