A carbon paste electrode (CP) impregnated with Cd2+ ion imprinted polymer (IIP) was prepared and used for differential pulse voltammetry determination of Cd2+ in real samples. The IIP was prepared by using vinyl pyridine and quinaldic acid as functional monomer and complexing agent, respectively. Voltammetric response of the IIP-CP was considerably higher than that of the electrode modified with the non-imprinted polymer (NIP-CP), indicating properly functioning of the recognition sites of the IIP. Compared to the previously developed cadmium sensors, this sensor showed considerably better resistance against potential interfering agents such as Cu2+, Hg2+ and Pb2+. This sensor showed linear range of 1.0 x 10(-9)-5.0 x 10(-7) M and detection limit of 5.2 x 10(-10) M (S/N = 3). (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.