An effective electrochemical sensor for the determination of fluvoxamine (FLV) is introduced using mercury nanoparticles multi walled carbon nanotube modified glassy carbon electrode (HgNPs/MWCNTs/GCE). The electrochemical behavior of FLV at the modified electrode was studied using cyclic and differential pulse voltammetric techniques. The peak current for the modified electrode was much larger than that on a GCE, due to the co-effect of MWCNTs and HgNPs on the electrochemical reduction of FLV. The effect of various experimental parameters including pH, scan rate, accumulation potential and time on the voltammetric response of FLV was investigated. The results indicated that the process of the reduction of this compound is irreversible and adsorbtion controlled. Using the optimal differential pulse voltammetric conditions, the detection limit of 0.01 μmol L−1, the linear response of peak current on FLV concentration in the range 0.020 to 1.750 μmol L−1 (R2 = 0.998, n = 6) and the relative standard deviation of 0.9% at 1.00 μmol L−1 concentration level (n = 10) were achieved. The method was successfully applied to the determination of FLV in real samples and the results are similar to those declared by HPLC-DAD method. The effects of common interferences on the current response of FLV were investigated.
