An electrochemical sensor for Zn2+ ions in aqueous medium has been developed using disposable screen printed electrodes (SPE). Working electrode of the screen printed electrode has been modified using an ionophore (SMS-3) having schiff base moiety. Surface modification and redox behavior of the SMS-3 modified SPE has been compared with unmodified SPE using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Cyclic Voltammetry (CV). Herein, we discovered that modified SPE showed good electrochemical signals and sensitivity toward metal ions. The characteristic cathodic peaks at -0.59 V and 0.55 V of the ionophore was quenched in the presence of Zn2+. SMS-3 modified SPE works in the detection range of 0.47 to 5.56 mu M with a limit of detection (LOD) 0.92 mu M. DFT studies on SMS-3 supported the observations for the modified SPE. Further, sensitivity and selectivity of the electrode were also examined in the presence of various interfering ions and found that these ions did not interfere in the detection of Zn2+ ions. The electrodes were applied for the detection of Zn2+ in food samples. (C) 2019 The Electrochemical Society.