Chemically Modified Carbon Paste Electrode for Determination of Sulfate Ion by Potentiometric Method

Four Schiff base complexes of different metal ions, M=Cr(III), Mn(III), Fe(III), and Co(III), were studied to characterize their ability as sulfate ion carriers in carbon paste electrode (CPE). The modified CPE electrode with Schiff base complex of Cr(III), N,N′‐ethylenebis(5‐hydroxysalicylideneiminato) chromium(III) Chloride, showed good response characteristics to SO₄^2? ion. The proposed electrode exhibits a Nernstian slope of 28.9±0.4 mV per decade for SO₄^2? ion over a wide concentration range from 1.5×10^?6?4.8×10^?2 M, with a detection limit of 9.0×10^?7 M. The CPE electrode manifested advantages of relatively fast response time, suitable reproducibility and life time and, most important, good potentiometric selectivity relative to a wide variety of other common inorganic anions. The potentiometric response of the electrode is independent of the pH of the test solution in the pH range 4.0–9.0. The proposed electrode was used as an indicator electrode in potentiometric titration of sulfate with Ba²⁺ ion, the determination of zinc in zinc sulfate tablet and also determination of sulfate content of a mineral water sample.