Mebendazole selective membrane sensor and its application to pharmaceutical analysis.

A PVC membrane sensor for the selective determination of mebendazole (MBZ) was fabricated. The sensor is based on an ion association of MBZ with silicotungstic acid (STA) as ion pair and bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (BEP) as the plasticizing agent in a PVC matrix. The sensor showed a linear response for MBZ for a concentration range 1.0x10(-6)-5.0x10(-2) M with a Nernstian slope of 55.8 mV/decade (limit of detection 6.3x10(-7) M) in the pH range 4-7. It has a fast response time of <30 s. The sensor showed a very good selectivity for MBZ with respect to a large number of ions. The direct determination of MBZ in pharmaceutical formulations gave results that compare well with the data obtained from the standard method.     

An optode sensor for Cu2+ with high selectivity based on porphyrin derivative appended with bipyridine.

A porphyrin derivative (fluorophore) appended with bipyridine (ionophore) has been applied for preparation of a Cu2+-sensitive optical chemical sensor, which is based on fluorescence quenching of porphyrin derivative entrapped in a poly(vinyl chloride) membrane by the energy transfer process. The sensor exhibits a linear response toward Cu2+ in the concentration range 2.0 x 10(-8) - 1.0 x 10(-5) M, with a working pH range from 6.0 to 8.0 and a high selectivity. The detection limit is 5 x 10(-9) M. The response time for Cu2+ is less than 5 min with concentrations lower than 5 x 10(-6) M. The optode can be regenerated using 0.3 M EDTA (pH 9) and acetate buffer solution. The effect of the composition of the sensor membrane was studied, and the experimental conditions were optimized. The sensor has been used for direct determination of Cu2+ in water samples with satisfied results.     

A piezoelectric biomimetic sensor for aminopyrine with a molecularly imprinted polymer coating

A molecularly imprinted polymer for aminopyrine was synthesized using methacrylic acid as functional monomer. The polymer was employed as the recognition element of a piezoelectric bulk acoustic wave biomimetic sensor for aminopyrine. Influencing factors were investigated in detail and optimized. This sensor exhibited high selectivity and sensitivity to aminopyrine. The response range of the sensor was between 5.0 x 10(-8) and 1.0 x 10(-4) M with a detection limit of 2.5 x 10(-8) M in the aqueous system. Scatchard analysis with UV spectrophotometry showed that the same class of binding sites was formed in the molecularly imprinted polymer in the studied concentration range, and the dissociation constant and the apparent maximum number of these binding sites were estimated to be 2.29 mM and 165.0 mumol g-1 dry polymer, respectively. Impedance analysis was employed to verify the imprinting effect and lack of variation in the viscoelasticity of the polymer coating during detection.     

Bulk acoustic wave sensor using molecularly imprinted polymers as recognition elements for the determination of pyrimethamine

A new bulk acoustic wave (BAW) sensor modified with a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) was fabricated and applied for the determination of pyrimethamine. This sensor exhibited high selectivity and sensitive response to pyrimethamine. Factors such as pH and the amount of coating influencing sensor properties, were investigated in detail and optimized. The calibration curve was linear in the range 6.0x10(-7)-1.0x10(-4) M. The determination limit was 2.0x10(-7) M. In harsh chemical environments such as high temperature, organic solvents, bases, acids, etc., the sensor still exhibited long-term stability. The proposed method has been satisfactorily applied for the determination of pyrimethamine in serum and urine media.     

A PVC plasticized sensor for Ni(II) ion based on a simple ethylenediamine derivative.

A new PVC membrane ion selective electrode which is highly selective towards Ni(II) ions was constructed using a Schiff base containing a binaphthyl moiety as the ionophore. The sensor exhibited a good Nernstian response for nickel ions over the concentration range 1.0x10(-1)-5.0x10(-6) M with a lower limit of detection of 1.3x10(-6) M. It has a fast response time and can be used for a period of 4 months with a good reproducibility. The sensor is suitable for use in aqueous solutions in a wide pH range of 3.6-7.4 and works satisfactorily in the presence of 25% (v/v) methanol or ethanol. The sensor shows high selectivity to nickel ions over a wide variety of cations. It has been successfully used as an indicator electrode in the potentiometric titration of nickel ions against EDTA and also for the direct determination of nickel content in real samples: effluent samples, chocolates and hydrogenated oils.     

Selective fluorescent Hg(II) detection in aqueous solutions with a dye intermediate

A dye intermediate, 1-amino-8-naphthol-3,6-disulfonic acid sodium (ANDS) was first used to selectively recognize Hg(II) in aqueous solutions with its fluorescence being strong quenched. The fluorescence quenching of ANDS was attributed to the formation of an inclusion complex between Hg(II) and ANDS by 2:1 complex ratio (K=6.2 x 10(9)), which has been utilized as the basis of the fabrication of the Hg(II)-sensitive fluorescent chemosensor. The analytical performance characteristics of the proposed chemosensor were investigated. The sensor shows a linear response toward Hg(II) in the concentration range 2.9 x 10(-6) to 5.5 x 10(-5)M with a limit of detection of 5.3 x 10(-7)M, and a working pH range from 5.0 to 9.0. It shows excellent selectivity for Hg(II) over a large number of cations such as alkali, alkaline earth and transitional metal ions. The proposed method was utilized successfully for the detection of Hg(2+) in water samples.     

A sulpha-drug sensitive sensor based on ion-pair complex modified PQC resonator

The construction and general performance characteristics of the piezoelectric sensors responsive to sulpha-drug are described here. The proposed sensing method is based on the use of the ion-pair complex of sulphadiazine-cetyltrioctylammonium. The complex, together with cholestyramine was embedded in PVC matrix. This sensor exhibited reasonable selectivity and a sensitive mass response to sulpha-drugs. The response range of the sensor was between 1.0x10(-7) and 1.0x10(-5) M with a detection limit of 8x10(-8) M at pH 8.63. The influencing factors were investigated in detail and optimized.     

A study of a new TSM bio-mimetic sensor using a molecularly imprinted polymer coating and its application for the determination of nicotine in human serum and urine

A new bio-mimetic quartz crystal thickness-shear-mode (TSM) sensor, using an imprinted polymer coating as the sensitive material, has been fabricated and applied to the determination of nicotine (NIC) in human serum and urine. The molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) was synthesized using NIC as the template molecule and methacrylic acid (MAA) as the functional monomer. The sensor showed high selectivity and a sensitive response to NIC in aqueous system. The linear response range of the sensor was between 5.0 x 10(-8) and 1.0 x 10(-4) M with a detection limit of 2.5 x 10(-8) M. The viscoelasticity of the coating in the air and in liquid has been studied by the impedance spectrum. The MIP sensor was stable and exhibited effective reproducibility. Satisfactory results were achieved in the detection of the real samples.     

Potentiometric detection of ascorbate using a graphite carbon electrode

A graphite carbon electrode was used for the potentiometric detection of ascorbate. The electrode exhibits a linear response with a slope of -42+/-1.0 mV decade(-1) in concentrations ranging from 5x10(-4) to 5.0x10(-2) M in 0.1 M NaOH solution with a detection limit of 5.0x10(-6) M. The response mechanism of this electrode was investigated by potentiometry, voltammetry, and scanning electron micoscropy (SEM), and it suggests that the electrode potential change resulted from the ion-exchange adsorption and subsequent oxidation of ascorbate on the electrode surface at pH 12-13. The electrode exhibits high sensitivity, selectivity and reproducibility.     

A novel electrochemical sensor based on molecularly imprinted polymers for caffeine recognition and detection

A sensitive and selective electrochemical sensor based on molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) was developed for caffeine (CAF) recognition and detection. The sensor was constructed through the following steps: multiwalled carbon nanotubes and gold nanoparticles were first modified onto the glassy carbon electrode surface by potentiostatic deposition method successively. Subsequently, o-aminothiophenol (ATP) was assembled on the surface of the above electrode through Au–S bond before electropolymerization. During the assembled and electropolymerization processes, CAF was embedded into the poly(o-aminothiophenol) film through hydrogen bonding interaction between CAF and ATP, forming an MIP electrochemical sensor. The morphologies and properties of the sensor were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and differential pulse voltammetry. The recognition and determination of the sensor were observed by measuring the changes of amperometric response of the oxidation-reduction probe, [Fe(CN)₆]^3?/[Fe(CN)₆]^4?, on modified electrode. The results demonstrated that the prepared sensor had excellent selectivity and high sensitivity for CAF, and the linear range was 5.0?×?10^?10?~?1.6?×?10^?7?mol?L^?1 with a detection limit of 9.0?×?10^?11?mol?L^?1 (S/N?=?3). The sensor was also successfully employed to detect CAF in tea samples.     

Highly selective iodide membrane electrode based on a cerium salen.

A highly selective PVC membrane electrode based on a cerium-salen complex was prepared. The sensor displays an anti-Hofmeister selectivity sequence with a preference for iodide ion over many common organic and inorganic anions. The proposed electrode exhibits a near-Nernstian behavior over a wide concentration range (5.0 x 10(-2) - 8.0 x 10(-6) M) with a slope of 57.5 mV per decade, and a detection limit of 6.0 x 10(-6) M. The electrode has a very fast response time and can be used in the pH range of 3.0 - 1 1.0. It was applied, as an indicator electrode, in potentiometric titration of Ag+ ions.     

A fluorescent chemosensor for copper(II) based on a carboxylic acid-functionalized tris(2,2'-bipyridine)-ruthenium(II) complex.

In this research, bis(2,2'-bipyridine)(4-methyl-2,2'-bipyridine-4'-carboxylic acid)ruthenium(II).2PF(6)- complex (1), was first used as a fluorescent chemosensor to recognize Cu(II) in EtOH/H(2)O (1:1, v/v) solution. The response of the sensor is based on the fluorescence quenching of complex 1 by binding with Cu(II). The analytical performance characteristics of the proposed Cu(II)-sensitive chemosensor were investigated. The sensor can be applied to the quantification of Cu(II) with a linear range covering from 5.0 x 10(-8) to 1.0 x 10(-4) M and a detection limit of 4.2 x 10(-8) M. The experiment results show that the response behavior of 1 to Cu(II) is pH independent in medium condition (pH 4.0 - 8.0), and show excellent selectivity for Cu(II) over other transition metal cations.     

Aluminium(III)-selective electrode based on a newly synthesized tetradentate Schiff base

A PVC membrane electrode for aluminium ion based on bis(5-phenyl azo salicylaldehyde) 2,3-naphthalene diimine (5PHAZOSALNPHN) as an ion carrier was developed. The electrode exhibits a Nernstian slope of 19.3+/-0.8 mV per decade and a linear range of 5.0x10(-6)-1.0x10(-2) M for Al(NO(3))(3). The limit of detection is 2.5x10(-6) M. It has a fast response time of about 10 s and can be used for at least 10 weeks without observing any deviation. The proposed membrane sensor revealed good selectivity for Al(3+) over a wide variety of other metal ions and could be used in pH range of 2.9-5.0. It was used as an indicator electrode in potentiometric titration of aluminium ion.     

Construction and analytical application of ion-selective piezoelectric sensor for atropine sulfate

The method describes the use of a piezoelectric quartz crystal (PQC) as a substitute for ion-selective electrodes. The approach is feasible when the membrane materials are electrically non-conductive and membrane potential measurements are consequently not possible. An ion-selective piezoelectric sensor sensitive to atropine sulfate was constructed by coating a PVC membrane containing activant on one the side of a PQC. On the basis of selective adsorption of atropine ions across the modified film and the sensitive mass response of PQC, the method exhibits a sensitive, rapid response and is easy to operate without pretreatment of the sample. The logarithm of the frequency shift gave a linear relationship with the logarithm of atropine sulfate concentration in the 1.0 x 10(-8)-1.0 x 10(-3) M range with a detection limit of 5.0 x 10(-9) M at pH 7.0. Recoveries were from 98.7-102.2%. Two activants, atropine tetraphenylborate and atropine dipicrylaminate, were synthesized and investigated. Influencing factors were also examined and optimized. The results for real samples obtained by the proposed method agreed with those obtained by conventional methods.     

Bis(2-hydroxyacetophenone)ethylenediimine as a neutral carrier in a coated-wire membrane electrode for lead(II).

A coated-wire ion-selective electrode (CWISE), based on a Schiff base as a neutral carrier, was successfully developed for the detection of Pb(II) in aqueous solution. CWISE exhibited a linear response with a Nernstian slope of 29.4 +/- 0.5 mV/decade within the concentration range of 1.0 x 10(-5) - 1.0 x 10(-1) M lead ion. CWISE has shown detection limits of 5.0 x 10(-6) M. The electrode exhibited good selectivity over a number of alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions. This sensor yielded a steady potential within 10 to 20 s at a linear dynamic range. The electrode was suitable for use in aqueous solutions in a pH range of 2.0 to 5.0. Applications of this electrode for the determination of lead in real samples and as indicator electrode for potentiometric titration of Pb2+ ion using K2CrO4 are reported.     

A non-potentiometric sensing method for the determination of pentoxyverine with PQC sensors based on ion-pair complexes.

The construction and general performance characteristics of three piezoelectric quartz crystal sensors responsive to the pentoxyverine are described here. This kind of non-potentiometric sensing method is based on use of ion-pair complexes of the pentoxyverine cation with three counter anions, namely, tungstophosphate, tetraphenylborate and picrolonate. The complexes were embedded in a PVC matrix. Adsorption of the pentoxyverine ion on the complex caused a frequency decrease of the crystal. The frequency decrease was proportional to the amount of adsorbed analyte. The influencing factors were investigated in detail, and then optimized. The proposed sensors exhibit reasonable selectivity and a higher sensitivity than the potentiometric sensors. For a sensor modified with pentoxyverine-phosphotungstate, the calibration graph was linear over concentration of 1.0 x 10(-7) - 5.0 x 10(-5) M with a detection limit of 6 x 10(-8) M at pH 5.4.     

Silver(I)-selective coated-wire electrode based on an octahydroxycalix[4]arene derivative.

The performance of octahydroxycalix[4]arene derivative used as a neutral carrier for silver polymeric membrane electrode was studied. The sensor gave a good Nernstian response of 58 +/- 1 mV per decade for silver ion in the activity range 3.3 x 10(-6) to 3.3 x 10(-2) M Ag+. The limit of detection reached 2.1 x 10(-6) M Ag+ and exhibited high selectivity for silver ion against the alkali, alkaline earth and transition metal ions. The sensor can be used in wide pH range from 1.5 to 6.5. The response time of the sensor is less than 20 s. The potentiometric sensor was used as the indicator electrode in the titration of Ag+ ions by sodium chloride solution.     

Rapid hydrolysis and electrochemical detection of trace carbofuran at a disposable heated screen-printed carbon electrode

A disposable heated screen-printed carbon electrode (HSPCE) is successfully fabricated. It demonstrates rapid responses to electrical heating and is easily elevated above the water boiling point by a high frequency alternating current. The temperature rise at the HSPCE was found to be strongly dependent on the square of the heating current and the electrode width. Carbofuran (CAF) could be rapidly hydrolyzed to carbofuran phenol at the HSPCE with raised temperature, and then determined at the same electrode at room temperature by differential potential voltammetry (DPV). The factors influencing the detection were examined, including pH, hydrolytic temperature and heating time. Under the optimum conditions, the detection linear range of CAF was from 4.0 x 10(-7) to 4.0 x 10(-4) mol L(-1) and the detection limit was 5.0 x 10(-8) mol L(-1) (S/N = 3). This method was successfully applied to the analysis of CAF residues in real samples (spiked water, soil and vegetables), and satisfactory recoveries were obtained.     

Cesium ion selective electrode based on calix[4]crown ether-ester

The potentiometric response characteristics of cesium ion selective PVC membrane electrode employing calix[4]crown ether-ester as an ionophore were investigated. The electrode exhibit a good response for cesium ion over wide concentration range of 5.0x10(-6)-1.0x10(-1) M with a Nernstian slope of 59 mV per decade. The detection limit of electrode is 5.0x10(-6) M. The electrode was found to have selectivity for cesium ion over alkali, alkaline and transition metals. The response time of the electrode is less than 20 s and can be used for more than 4 months without observing any divergence in potentiometric response. The electrode response was stable over wide pH range.     

The electrochemical behavior and direct determination of tyrosine at a glassy carbon electrode modified with poly (9-aminoacridine)

9-Aminoacridine was firstly immobilized on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode to form a poly (9-aminoacridine) film modified electrode. The results demonstrated that the modified electrode exhibited a high degree of catalytic activity towards the oxidation of tyrosine and can resolve the interference of tryptophan in the determination of tyrosine. Compared with the bare electrode, the peak current had obviously increased, and the peak potential had shifted in a negative direction. Under the optimum conditions, a linear response to tyrosine was observed in the concentration of 1.0 x 10(-6) -2.8 x 10(-3) M, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9987, and a detection limit (S/N = 3) of 1.0 x 10(-7) M. The modified electrode has been successfully applied to determine the concentration of tyrosine in composite amino acid injections; and it displays excellent repeatability and high sensitivity. The proposed sensor has promising features such as ease of fabrication, good reproducibility, high stability and low cost. And most of all, it has good selectivity.