For the first time, a new composite voltammetric sensor based on yttria-stabilized zirconia doped with neodymium-carbon black-Nafion glassy carbon electrode (YSZNd-CB-Nafion/GCE) for the determination of metoprolol (MET) has been developed. The instrumental parameters and supporting electrolyte were optimized. For 105 s accumulation time, linearity was achieved in the range of 0.01 to 0.2 µM. The limit of detection (for 105 s accumulation time) was equal to 2.9 nM (2 µg/L), and was the best result in comparison to other voltametric sensors. The reproducibility of the metoprolol signal presented as relative standard deviation (RSD) was equal to 1.9% (n = 7). Additionally, our electrode is characterized by high stability, is easy to use, and has a short preparation time. The proposed sensor was found useful for MET determination in plasma and urine, as well as for pharmaceutical samples, with a good recovery parameter (96-108%). Flow injection analysis (FIA) with amperometric detection was also performed for MET determination. The recovery was calculated and was in the range 101-103%, suggesting that the proposed material may be applied in flow injection analysis.
Keywords: flow injection analysis; metoprolol; pharmaceutical formulation; voltammetry; yttria-stabilized zirconia doped with neodymium.