Selective thiocyanate poly(vinyl chloride) membrane based on a 1,8-dibenzyl-1,3,6,8,10,13-hexaazacyclotetradecane-Ni(II) perchlorate

A highly selective poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) membrane electrode based on 1,8-dibenzyl-1,3,6,8,10,13-hexaazacyclotetradecane-Ni(II) as a membrane carrier with unique selectivity toward thiocyanate is reported. The influence of membrane composition, pH and foreign anions were investigated. The sensor exhibits a Nernstian response for thiocyanate over a wide concentration range of 3.3×10⁻⁶ to 0.10 M, with a slope 58.4±0.3 mV per decade. The limit of detection is 3.0×10⁻⁶ M SCN⁻. The sensor has a response time of <20 s and can be used for at least 2 months without any considerable divergence in potential. The proposed electrode shows fairly a good discriminating ability towards SCN⁻ ion in comparison to other anions. It was successfully applied to direct determination of thiocyanate in urine and saliva and it was also used as an indicator electrode in titration of thiocyanate with Ag⁺ ions.