A novel electrochemical nanocomposite imprinted sensor for the determination of lorazepam based on modified polypyrrole@sol-gel@gold nanoparticles/pencil graphite electrode

•A novel electrochemical nanocomposite sensor has been prepared for lorazepam.•Polypyrrol and Au nanoparticles embedded in sol-gel to improve its performance.•The imprinted nanocomposite layer imparts good sensitivity and selectivity to sensor.•Lorazepam can be determined successfully in pharmaceutical and biological samples.