Microelectrode for potassium ions based on a neutral carrier and comparison of its characteristics with a cation exchanger sensor

A potassium-selective liquid-membrane microelectrode based on valinomycin is described. Tip diameters of about 2 μm as well as high discrimination against Na⁺, H₃O⁺, acetylcholine and some other quaternary ammonium ions, allow the intracellular measurement of potassium ion activity changes. The inherently high membrane resistance of the neutral carrier-based microelectrodes is reduced by adding a lipophilic charge carrier to the valinomycin. Results are compared with those of classical microelectrodes.