PVC-based dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 sensor for La(III) ions

A new ion-selective electrode (ISE) based on dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 (DC18C6) as a neutral carrier is developed for lanthanum(III) ions. The electrode comprises of dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 (6%), PVC (33%), and ortho-nitrophenyl octyl ether (o-NPOE) (61%). The electrode shows a linear dynamic response in the concentration range of 10⁻⁶ to 10⁻¹ M with a Nernstian slope of 19 mV per decade and a detection limit as 5×10⁻⁷ M. It has a response time of <30 s and can be used for at least 5 months without any significant divergence in potentials. The selectivity coefficients for mono-, di-, and trivalent cations indicate good selectivity for La(III) ions over a large number of interfering cations. The sensor has been used as an indicator electrode in the potentiometric titrations of La(III) with EDTA. The membrane is successfully applied in partially non-aqueous medium. It can be used in the pH range 4-9.     

Zinc(II)-selective sensors based on dibenzo-24-crown-8 in PVC matrix

Membranes of dibenzo-24-crown-8 (I) as an ion active material in poly(vinylchloride) (PVC) based matrix have been tried for zinc(II)-selective sensors. The effect of anion excluder, sodium tetraphenylborate (NaTPB) and plasticizers, tris(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate (TEP), tributylphosphate (TBP), dibutylphthalate (DBP), dibutyl(butyl)phosphonate (DBBP), 1-chloronaphthalene (CN) and dioctylphthalate (DOP) on the performance of the membrane electrodes has also been studied. It was observed that the membrane having the composition (I): PVC:NaTPB:DOP in the ratio 10:200:2:100 gave the best results with a wide working concentration range of 9.2 × 10⁻⁵ to 1.0 × 10⁻¹ M, Nernstian slope of 29.0 ± 0. 5 mV/decade of activity, fast response time of 12 s and good selectivity over a number of mono-, bi-, and trivalent cations. The sensor works well in a pH range 4.8-6.2 and can be employed for the estimation of zinc ions in partially non-aqueous medium having up to 10% (v/v) methanol, ethanol or acetone content. The practical utility of the sensor has been demonstrated by using it successfully as an indicator electrode in the potentiometric titration of Zn²⁺ with EDTA and also for the determination of Zn²⁺ in a real sample analysis of wastewater.     

Application of 8-amino-N-(2-hydroxybenzylidene)naphthyl amine as a neutral ionophore in the construction of a lanthanum ion-selective sensor

In this work, a novel La(III) membrane sensor based on 8-amino-N-(2-hydroxybenzylidene)naphthylamine (AIP) is presented. This electrode reveals good selectivity for La³⁺ over a wide variety of lanthanides metal ions. Theoretical calculations and conductance study of AIP to lanthanum and some other metal ions were carried out and confirmed selectivity toward La(III) ions. The electrode comprises 7% AIP, 30% PVC, 61% NPOE and 2% KTpClPB. The sensor displays a linear dynamic range between 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ and 1.0 × 10⁻¹ M, with a nice Nernstian slope of 20.3 ± 0.3 mV per decade and a detection limit of 8.0 × 10⁻⁸ M. The potentiometric response is independent of pH in the range of 4.0-9.0. The proposed sensor posses the advantage of short response time, and especially, very good selectivity towards a large number of cations, such as Sm(III), Ce(III, Pr(III), Yb(III) and Hg(II), low detection limit and wide linear dynamic range in comparison with former ones. The electrode can be used for at least seven weeks without any considerable divergence in the potentials. It was used as an indicator electrode in the potentiometric titration of La(III) ions with EDTA. The sensor was applied to the determination of La(III) ions concentration in binary mixtures. It was also applied for the determination of fluoride ions in mouth wash preparations.     

Highly selective and sensitive thiocyanate membrane electrode based on nickel(II)-1,4,8,11,15,18,22,25-octabutoxyphthalocyanine

A highly selective membrane electrode based on nickel(II)-1,4,8,11,15,18,22,25-octabutoxyphthalocyanine (NOBP) is presented. The proposed electrode shows very good selectivity for thiocyanate ions over a wide variety of common inorganic and organic anions. The sensor displays a near Nernstian slope of −58.7 ± 0.6 mV per decade. The working concentration range of the electrode is 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ to −1.0 × 10⁻¹ M with a detection limit of 5.7 × 10⁻⁷ M (33.06 ng/mL). The response time of the sensor in whole concentration ranges is very short (<10 s). The response of the sensor is independent on the pH range of 4.3-9.8. The best performance was obtained with a membrane composition of 30% PVC, 65% dibutyl phthalate, 3% NOBP and 2% hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide. It was successfully applied to direct determination of thiocyanate in biological samples, and as an indicator electrode for titration of thiocyanate ions with AgNO₃ solution.     

A cobalt(II)-selective PVC membrane based on a Schiff base complex of N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-3,4-diaminotoluene

A new PVC membrane electrode for Co²⁺ based on N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-3,4-diaminotoluene, an excellent neutral carrier, has been fabricated using sodium tetraphenylborate (NaTPB) as an anionic excluder and dioctylphthalte (DOP) as a solvent mediator. The electrode exhibits a linear potential response in the concentration range of 7.9 × 10⁻⁸ to 1.0 × 10⁻¹ M with a slope of 30 ± 0.2 mV per decade. The detection limit of the proposed sensor is 5.0 × 10⁻⁸ M and it can be used over a period of 5 months. The proposed sensor revealed good selectivity over a wide variety of other cations including alkali, alkaline earth, heavy and transition metals and could be used in the pH range of 2.0-9.0. This electrode was successfully applied for the determination of Co²⁺in real samples and as an indicator electrode in potentiometric titration of cobalt ions.     

Synthesis of nano-sized arsenic-imprinted polymer and its use as As selective ionophore in a potentiometric membrane electrode: Part 1

In this study, a new strategy was proposed for the preparation of As (III)-imprinted polymer by using arsenic (methacrylate)₃ as template. Precipitation polymerization was utilized to synthesize nano-sized As (III)-imprinted polymer. Methacrylic acid and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate were used as the functional monomer and cross-linking agent, respectively. In order to assembly functional monomers around As (III) ion, sodium arsenite and methacrylic acid were heated in the presence of hydroquinone, leading to arsenic (methacrylate)₃. The nano-sized As (III) selective polymer was characterized by FT-IR and scanning electron microscopy techniques (SEM). It was demonstrated that arsenic was recognized as As³⁺ by the selective cavities of the synthesized IIP. Based on the prepared polymer, the first arsenic cation selective membrane electrode was introduced. Membrane electrode was constructed by dispersion of As (III)-imprinted polymer nanoparticles in poly(vinyl chloride), plasticized with di-nonylphthalate. The IIP-modified electrode exhibited a Nernstian response (20.4 ± 0.5 mV decade⁻¹) to arsenic ion over a wide concentration range (7.0 × 10⁻⁷ to 1.0 × 10⁻¹ mol L⁻¹) with a lower detection limit of 5.0 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹. Unlike this, the non-imprinted polymer (NIP)-based membrane electrode was not sensitive to arsenic in aqueous solution. The selectivity of the developed sensor to As (III) was shown to be satisfactory. The sensor was used for arsenic determination in some real samples.     

Zirconium ion selective electrode based on bis(diphenylphosphino) ferrocene incorporated in a poly(vinyl chloride) matrix

A novel potentiometric zirconium - PVC matrix membrane sensor incorporating bis(diphenylphosphino) ferrocene as an electroactive material and tris(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate as solvent mediator is described. In mixed acetate buffer solution of pH 4.8, the sensor displays a rapid and linear response for zirconium ion over the concentration range 1.0 × 10⁻¹ to 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹ with a good slope of 59.7 ± 0.3 mV per decade and detection limit 1.8 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹. The best performance was obtained with membrane composition 33% PVC, 65% TEHP, 1% NaTPB and 1% ionophore. The proposed electrode revealed excellent selectivity for zirconium ion over a wide variety of alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions and could be used in a pH range of 4.15-7.8. The electrode was applied for at least 1 month without any considerable divergence in the potential responses. The practical utility of the electrode has been demonstrated by its use as an indicator electrode in the potentiometric titration of zirconium ions with sodium fluoride and in determination of zirconium ion in some alloy, tape and waste water samples.     

Development of a Cr(III)-specific potentiometric sensor using Aurin tricarboxylic acid modified silica

A new chelating resin, Aurin tricarboxylic acid modified silica, was synthesized. The resin behaves as a selective chelating ion exchanger for Cr(III) at a pH 3.8-5.5. A polyvinyl chloride-based membrane electrode of the modified silica has been fabricated and explored as sensor for Cr(III) ions. The membrane works well over the concentration range 7.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 1 × 10⁻¹ M of Cr(III) with a Nernstian slope of 19.0 mV per decade of concentration. The response time of the sensor is 10 s and it can be used for a period of 5 months. The performance of the sensor is best in the pH range 3.5-6.5 and it also works well in partially non-aqueous medium. The selectivity coefficient values depicts that the membrane exhibits good selectivity over a number of interfering ions. Moreover, the membrane sensor has been applied to analyse the concentration of chromium in certified steel sample and food materials with greater than 97% accuracy.     

PVC based 5,10,15,20-tetrakis (4-methoxyphenyl) porphyrinatocobalt(II) membrane potentiometric sensor for arsenite

PVC based membranes of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-methoxyphenyl)porphyrinatocobalt(II) (TMOPP-Co) (I) as electroactive material with dibutyl butyl phosphonate (DBBP), dioctyl phthalate (DOP), 1-chloronaphthalene (CN), tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) and tris(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (TEP) as plasticising solvent mediators have been prepared and tried for arsenite determination. The membrane having a composition 150:5:150 (PVC:I:DBBP) exhibited the best results with linear potential response in the concentration range of 7.9 × 10⁻⁵ to 1.0 × 10⁻¹ M of AsO₂⁻ with a slope of 28.8 mV/decade. The useful pH range of the sensor is 6.0-10.5. The membrane worked satisfactorily in non-aqueous medium up to 5% (v/v) non-aqueous content. The selectivity coefficient values for mono- and divalent anions indicate good selectivity for arsenite over a large number of anions.     

Sub-micro level monitoring of beryllium ions with a novel beryllium sensor based on 2,6-diphenyl-4-benzo-9-crown-3-pyridine

The 2,6-diphenyl-4-benzo-9-crown-3-pyridine (DPCP) was used as an excellent ionophore in construction of a coated graphite poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)-based membrane sensor. The best performance was obtained with a membrane composition of 30% poly(vinyl chloride), 60% o-nitrophenyloctyl ether (NPOE), 5% 2,6-diphenyl-4-benzo-9-crown-3-pyridine and 5% sodium tetraphenyl borate (TBP). This sensor shows very good selectivity and sensitivity towards beryllium ion over a wide variety of cations, including alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions. The sensor revealed a great enhancement in selectivity coefficients and sensitivity for beryllium, in comparison with the previously reported beryllium electrodes. The electrode exhibits a Nernstian behavior (with slope of 29.6 mV per decade) over a very wide concentration range (1.0×10⁻⁷ to 1.0×10⁻¹) with a detection limit of 4.0×10⁻⁸ M (360 pg ml⁻¹). It shows relatively fast response time, in whole concentration range (<10 s), and can be used for at least 12 weeks in the pH range of 4.5-8.0. The proposed sensor was successfully used to determination of beryllium in mineral ore.     

Al(III)-selective electrode based on newly synthesized xanthone derivative as neutral ionophore

The suitability of a xanthone derivative, 1-hydroxy-3-methyl-9H-xanthen-9-one (HMX) as a neutral ionophore for the preparation of a polyvinylchloride (PVC) membrane electrode for aluminum(III) ions was investigated. The prepared electrode exhibits a Nernstian response for Al³⁺ ions over a wide concentration range (1.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 1.6 × 10⁻¹ M) with a limit of detection 6.0 × 10⁻⁷ M. It has a relatively fast response time and can be used for at least three months without any considerable divergence in potentials. The proposed membrane electrode revealed very good selectivity for Al³⁺ ions over a wide variety of other cations and could be used at a working pH range of 3.0-8.5. It was used as an indicator electrode in potentiometric titration of aluminum ions with EDTA and in the determination of Al³⁺ in different real samples.     

Highly selective and sensitive copper membrane electrode based on a new synthesized Schiff base

Bis(2-hydroxyacetophenone)butane-2,3-dihydrazone (BHAB) was used as new N-N Schiffs base which plays the role of an excellent ion carrier in the construction of a Cu(II) membrane sensor. The best performance was obtained with a membrane composition of 30% poly(vinyl chloride), 55% o-nitrophenyloctyl ether (NPOE), 7% BHAB and 8% oleic acid (OA). This sensor shows very good selectivity and sensitivity towards copper ion over a wide variety of cations, including alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions. The effect of membrane composition and pH and influence of additive anionic on the response properties of electrode were investigated. The electrode exhibits a Nernstian behavior (with slope of 29.6 mV per decade) over a very wide concentration range (5.0 × 10⁻⁸ to 1.0 × 10⁻² mol L⁻¹) with a detection limit of 3.0 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹ (2.56 ng mL⁻¹). It shows relatively fast response time, in whole concentration range (<15 s), and can be used for at least 12 weeks in the pH range of 2.8-5.8. The proposed sensor was successfully used to determination of copper in different water samples and as indicator electrode in potentiometric titration of copper ion with EDTA.     

A selective and sensitive carbon composite coated platinum electrode for aluminium determination in pharmaceutical and mineral water samples

A novel coated wire electrode (CWE) for Al(III) ions is described based on 2-(1H-benzo[d]imidazole-1-yl)-1-phenylethanoneoxime as a new ionophore in carbon-PVC composite. The sensor exhibits significantly enhanced selectivity toward Al³⁺ ions over the concentration range 4.3 × 10⁻⁷ to 5.0 × 10⁻² M with a lower detection limit of 2.5 × 10⁻⁷ M and a Nernstian slope of 19.41 ± 0.52 mV decade⁻¹ of aluminium activity. This sensor has a short response time of about 10 s and is reproducible and stable for at least forty-five days. This proposed CWE which is designed for the first time revealed good selectivity for Al(III) over a wide variety of other cations. The performance of the sensor is best in the pH range of 3.1-5.5 and it also works well in partially non-aqueous medium. Moreover, the assembly has been successfully used as an indicator electrode in the potentiometric titration of aluminium (III) against EDTA and also in determining Al(III) quantitatively in pharmaceutical and mineral water samples.     

An all-solid-state monohydrogen phosphate sensor based on a macrocyclic ionophore

An all-solid-state electrode, containing a synthesized chiral A₂B₂ macrocyclic compound namely (4R,5R,15R,16R)-4,5,15,16-tetraphenyl-3,6,14,17-tetraazatricyclo [13.3.1.18,12] tetracosa-1(23),8,10,12(24)19,21-hexaene-2,7,13,18-tetrone as an ionophore in polyvinyl chloride (PVC)/polyurethane (PU) membrane matrix, has been developed for the selective quantification of monohydrogen phosphate ions. The best performing membrane contained PVC, PU, ionophore, and nitrophenyl octyl ether as a plasticizer in the ratio 32.2:2.6:65.1 (w/w, %). It exhibited a near-Nernstian slope of 31.0 ± 1.0 mV/decade of activity for HPO₄²⁻ ions in the concentration range of 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 1.0 × 10⁻² M at pH 7.4. The detection limit of the electrode was 8.4 × 10⁻⁷ M and the life time was six weeks. The electrode displayed excellent selectivity for monohydrogen phosphate over other anions and the selectivity sequence was determined as HPO₄²⁻ > SO₄²⁻ > Ac⁻ > NO₃⁻ > ClO₄⁻ > Cl⁻ > I⁻. The selective electrode for the monohydrogen phosphate ions was evaluated with a standard reference material (SRM 1548) and the titration of the sample solution.     

Anion recognition through amide-based dendritic molecule: a poly(vinyl chloride) based sensor for nitrate ion

Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)-based membranes of N,N-bis-succinamide-based dendritic molecule with tetrabutyl ammonium bromide (TBAB) as a cation inhibitor and dibutylphthalate (DBP), dioctylphthalate (DOP), dibutyl (butyl) phosphonate (DBBP) and 1-chloronaphthalene (CN) as plasticizing solvent mediators were prepared and used as nitrate ion-selective electrodes. Optimum performance was observed with the membrane having I-PVC-TBAB-DBP in the ratio 1:33:1:65 (w/w). The electrode has a linear response to nitrate with a detection limit of 3.9 × 10⁻⁵ ± 0.07 M and Nernstian compliance (57.0 ± 0.2 mV/decade) between pH 2.8 and 9.6 with a fast response time of about 20 s. The selectivity coefficient values of the order of 0.001 for mono-; bi- and trivalent anions; indicate high selectivity for nitrate ions over these anions. The preparation procedure of the electrode is very easy and inexpensive. The electrodes were used over a period of 45 days with good reproducibility. The analytical usefulness of the proposed electrode has been evaluated by its application in the determination of nitrate ions in waste water samples.     

Fluoride determination in some mouth wash preparations by a novel La(III) graphite coated membrane sensor based on amitraz

Solution studies on the binding properties of N-2,4-dimethylphenyl-N′-ethylformamidine (amitraz) toward nine lanthanide ions including lanthanum, cerium, neodium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, ytterbium and some other transition and heavy metal ions such as copper, lead, cobalt, nickel ions, showed a selective 1:1 complexation between amitraz and lanthanum ions. Consequently, amitraz was applied as an ion carrier in construction of a novel poly(vinyl chloride) membrane sensor for La(III). The sensor has a linear dynamic range of 1.0 × 10⁻¹ to 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ M with a Nernstian slope of 19.8 ± 0.2 mV per decade and a detection limit of 8.0 × 10⁻⁸ M. The proposed sensor displays a fast response time (<8 s), and can be used for at least 2 months without any considerable divergences in the potentials. The La(III) membrane sensor revealed comparatively good selectivity with respect to most of cations including alkaline, alkaline earth, and some transition and heavy metal ions. It could be used in a pH range of 3.0-9.0. The proposed membrane electrode was used as an indicator electrode in the potentiometric titration of La(III) ions with an EDTA solution, and also in the determination of fluoride concentration in some mouth wash preparations.     

Potentiometric membrane sensor based on 6-(4-nitrophenyl)-2,4-diphenyl-3,5-diaza-bicyclo[3.1.0]hex-2-ene for detection of Sn(II) in real samples

A Sn²⁺ ion-selective electrode which was prepared with a polymeric membrane based on 6-(4-nitrophenyl)-2,4-diphenyl-3,5-diaza-bicyclo[3.1.0]hex-2-ene (NDDBH) as a ionophore. Effects of experimental parameters such as membrane composition, nature and amount of plasticizer, the amount of additive and concentration of internal solution on the potential response of Sn²⁺ sensor were investigated. The electrode exhibited a Nernstian slope of 28.8 ± 1.1 mV/decade of Sn²⁺ over a concentration range of 1.0 × 10⁻⁵ to 1.0 × 10⁻¹ M of Sn²⁺ in an acidic solution (pH 1). The limit of detection was 4.0 × 10⁻⁶ M. The results show that this electrode can be used in ethanol media until 20% (v/v) concentration without interference. It can be used for more than 6 weeks without any considerable divergence in the potentials. The proposed membrane electrode revealed very good selectivity for Sn(II) ions over a wide variety of other cations and could be used in acidic media. The standard electrode potentials were determined at different temperatures and used to calculate the isothermal coefficient of the electrode. The stability constant (log K_s) of the Sn(II)-ionophore complex was determined at 25 °C by potentiometric titration in mixed aqueous solution. It was used as indicator electrode in potentiometric determination of Sn(II) ion in real samples.     

A highly selective thallium(I) electrode based on a thia substituted macrocyclic ionophore

A new highly Tl(I)-selective PVC membrane electrode based on tetrathia macrocycle 6,7: 14,15-dibenzo-5,8,13,16-tetraoxo-1,4,9,12-tetrathiacyclohexadecane [Bz₂O₄(16)aneS₄] (I) as membrane carrier, o-nitrophenyloctyl ether (o-NPOE) as solvent mediator and potassium tetrakis(p-chlorophenyl)borate (KTpClPB) as lipophilic additive has been developed. The best performance was given by the membrane of macrocycle (I) with composition 3:120:1.5:50 (I:o-NPOE:KTpClPB:PVC). This electrode exhibits a Nernstian response to Tl(I) ions in the concentration range 1.0 × 10⁻¹-2.23 × 10⁻⁶ M with a slope of 58.2 mV/decade of concentration and a detection limit of 1.58 × 10⁻⁶ M. The response time of the sensor is 12 s and can be used over a period of 4 months with good reproducibility. The proposed electrode revealed good selectivity over a wide variety of other cations including alkali, alkaline earth, heavy and transition metals. The electrode works well over a pH range of 3.2-11.5 and in partially non-aqueous medium with up to 30% organic content. The sensor was also used as an indicator electrode in potentiometric titration of Tl(I) ions with KI solution.     

Nickel(II)-selective sensor based on dibenzo-18-crown-6 in PVC matrix

Nickel(II)-selective sensors have been fabricated from poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) matrix membranes containing neutral carrier dibenzo-18-crown-6 as electroactive material, sodium tetraphenylborate (NaTPB) as an anion excluder and tris-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (TEHP) as plasticizing solvent mediator. The membrane having the composition of crown ether:NaTPB:TEHP:PVC in the ratio 10:1:200:200 (w/w) exhibits best results with linear potential response in the concentration range of 1.0 × 10⁻⁵ to 1.0 × 10⁻¹ M and a Nernstian slope of 29.5 mV/decade of activity between 2.6 and 6.8. The sensor exhibits a fast response time of <25 s, is inert towards non-aqueous medium up to 15% (v/v) and was used over a period of 4 months with good reproducibility. It is selective over a number of mono-, bi- and trivalent cations. The practical utility of the sensor has been demonstrated by using it as an indicator electrode in the potentiometric titration of Ni²⁺ against EDTA and also for the estimation of Ni²⁺ in some Indian brand chocolates.     

Ion imprinted polymer based ion-selective electrode for the trace determination of dysprosium(III) ions

Ion-selective electrode (ISE) was designed by dispersing the dysprosium(III) IIP particles in 2-nitrophenyloctyl ether plasticizer and then embedded in polyvinyl chloride matrix. The ISE shows a Nernstian response for dysprosium(III) over a wide concentration range (8.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 1.0 × 10⁻¹ M) with a slope of 21.7 mV per decade. The limit of detection was 2 × 10⁻⁶ M. This sensor has a very fast response time (∼10 s) and offers high selectivity compared to conventional chemical sensors towards dysprosium(III) with respect to several alkali, alkaline earth and transition metal ions as the selectivity is 10-100-fold better. The sensor was used for determination of dysprosium(III) ions by potentiometric (EDTA) titration and has been successfully demonstrated for the determination of fluoride in mouth wash solution.