Clomipramine Determination by Potentiometric PVC Membrane and Carbon Paste Sensors

Clomipramine hydrochloride, active component of an antidepressant drug, was determined in the pharmaceutical formulation by two kinds of potentiometric sensor; a PVC membrane sensor and a carbon paste electrode modified by MWCNTs and ionic liquid. Both sensors were corporated with clomipramine-tetraphenylborate ion-pair complex and they respond based on ion exchange mechanism. The best PVC membrane sensor response was obtained by the membrane composition of 7% ion-pair, 30% PVC and 63% DBP, and in case of modified carbon paste electrode, the best response was obtained by a paste composed of 25% ion-pair, 5% MWCNTs, 25% ionic liquid and 45% graphite powder. The PVC membrane sensor showed a Nernstian response in the range of 1.0×10-4-1.0×10-2 mol L-1 and modified carbon paste electrode 1.0×10-5-1.0×10-2 mol L-1. The both sensors work well in laboratory conditions in analysis of clomipramine hydrochloride in the tablet.