Application of the electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance for electrochemically controlled binding and release of chlorpromazine from conductive polymer matrix

A new methodology has been applied to drug release studies. A conductive polymer film was used as a matrix for drug incorporation. The characterization of the polymer films has been obtained by in situ monitoring of the mass change by a quartz crystal microbalance in conjunction with cyclic voltammetry. The electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) with its excellent sensitivity allowed direct measurement of the amount of the drug released when the potential of the film was changed. New information on ion dynamics under the in situ conditions was obtained. The release of a neuroleptic drug, chlorpromazine (CPZ), from a composite polypyrrole/melanin film upon electrical stimulation has been studied. (C) 1997 Academic Press.