An improved electrode for the assay of urea in blood

An improved urea enzyme electrode is applied for the determination of urea in blood samples. The electrode is based on the enzymatic hydrolysis of urea, and potentiometric detection of the ammonium ion produced. A silicone rubber-based nonactin ammonium ion-selective electrode serves as the sensor. The selectivity coefficients of this electrode were 6.5 for NH₄⁺/K⁺; 750 for NH₄⁺/Na⁺, and much higher for other cations. The reaction layer of the electrode was made of urease enzyme chemically immobilized on polyacrylic gel. The prepared gel was stable at 4° for over four months. The electrodes retained their activity for over one month. A three-electrode system, which allowed dilution to a constant interference level, was applied to avoid interfering effects in blood samples. Analyses of blood sera showed good agreement with a standard spectrophotometric method. Routine clinical assays of blood urea are feasible.     

Guanidinium-selective PVC membrane electrodes based on crown ethers

Guanidinium-selective membrane electrodes were constructed with dibenzo-24-crown-8, dibenzo-27-crown-9, tribenzo-27-crown-9 or dibenzo-30-crown-10. The detection limits and selectivity coefficients towards different interfering ions, such as Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, NH⁺₄, Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ were determined. The electrode with dibenzo-27-crown-9 shows linear response over the range 10^?1–10^?4 M, with selectivity coefficients about 10^?2 for most alkali and alkaline earth metal ions.     

Ion-selective electrode for measuring low Ca2+ concentrations in the presence of high K+, Na+ and Mg2+ background

In this work, ion-selective electrodes for calcium ion were investigated. Two ionophores were used in the membranes: ETH 1001 and ETH 129. An internal filling solution buffered for primary ion was used that allowed the lower detection limit to be decreased down to 10^−8.8 M. Theoretical and experimental electrode characteristics pertaining to both primary and interfering ions are discussed. Better behavior was obtained with the electrode prepared with ETH 129 in the membrane. This electrode would be the most likely candidate for obtaining a low Ca²⁺ detection limit in measurements performed with high K⁺, Na⁺, Mg²⁺ background, which is found inside the cells of living organisms, for example. The potentiometric response of the electrode in solutions containing main and interfering ions is in good agreement with simulated curves obtained using the Nernst–Planck–Poisson (NPP) model.     

Assessment of Potassium Zinc Ferrocyanide as an Alkali-Metal Ion-Exchanger in Ion-Selective Electrodes

Abstract

Silicone rubber membranes containing potassium zinc ferrocyanide have been assessed as ion-selective electrode sensors for the determination of alkali metal ions. The slope of the calibration graph for potassium ion is 59 mV per decade change in concentration within the concentration range 5 × 10^?4 to 10^?1 M at 25°C. Selectivity constants (K_K + _/M+)are 9. 5, Cs⁺; 3. 3, Rb⁺; 0. 025, Na⁺; 0. 003, Li⁺; and 1.8, NH₄ ⁺, calculated from potential data obtained at 10^?1 M concentrations of each ion separately. Similar membranes prepared from PVC responded similarly with a slight improvement in selectivity.     

Silver(I)‐Selective PVC Membrane Potentiometric Sensor Based on a Recently Synthesized Calix[4]arene

A new PVC membrane potentiometric sensor for Ag(I) ion based on a recently synthesized calix[4]arene compound of 5,11,17,23‐tetra‐tert‐butyl‐25,27‐dihydroxy‐calix[4]arene‐thiacrown‐4 is developed. The electrode exhibits a Nernstian response for Ag(I) ions over a wide concentration range (1.0×10^?2?1.0×10^?6 M) with a slope of 53.8±1.6 mV per decade. It has a relatively fast response time (5–10 s) and can be used for at least 2 months without any considerable divergence in potentials. The proposed electrode shows high selectivity towards Ag⁺ ions over Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Sr²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Li⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, NH₄⁺ ions and can be used in a pH range of 2–6. Only interference of Hg²⁺ is found. It is successfully used as an indicator electrode in potentiometric titration of a mixture of chloride, bromide and iodide ions.     

Potentiometric and conductometric analysis of the binding of Barium ions with alkali polyacrylate

 The interaction between Poly(acrylic acid) and barium ions is analyzed using potentiometric (barium specific electrode) and conductometric titrations. At full ionization of the polyelectrolyte, in the presence of M⁺ counterions (M⁺=Li⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺), the binding ratio [Ba²⁺]_bound/C _p on the chain is determined, showing no significant difference between the three alkali ions. When the added Ba²⁺ concentration does not exceed 0.2×C _p, all barium ions bind with the polymer, i.e. none can be detected in the solution with the barium selective electrode. Assuming that monovalent counterions divide the electrostatically condensed and “atmospheric” ions and using Eisenberg plots of the conductivity excess, the experimental data allows to calculate the distribution of the different acrylic species on the fully deprotonated chain (free carboxylate groups, bound groups with M⁺ and with Ba²⁺ ions). Assuming the formation of a bidentate Ba(COO)₂ species and taking into account that part of the remaining groups bind with M⁺ ions, the calculated complexation constant (log K _c=6.5) is satisfactorily independent of the complexation ratio. The displacement ratio of M⁺ ions by attaching Ba²⁺ ions is also calculated, showing interestingly a continuous decrease between 1.4 and 0.9 as r increases. The latter result is attributed to the change of the averaged electrostatic potential of the chain, in relation with the binding of barium ions. Received: 14 April 1998 Accepted: 23 April 1998     

Calix[2]furano[2]pyrrole and related compounds as the neutral carrier in silver ion-selective electrode

The performance of calix[2]furano[2]pyrrole and related compounds used as neutral carriers for silver selective polymeric membrane electrode was investigated. The silver ion-selective electrode based on calix[2]furano[2]pyrroles gave a good Nernstian response of 57.1 mV per decade for silver ion in the activity range 1×10⁻⁶ to 1×10⁻² M. The present silver ion-selective electrode displayed very good selectivity for Ag⁺ ion against alkali and alkaline earth metal ions, NH₄⁺, and H⁺. In particular, the present Ag⁺-selective electrode exhibited very low responses towards Hg²⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions. The potentiometric selectivity coefficients of the silver ion-selective electrode exhibited a strong dependence on the solution pH. In particular, the response of the electrode to the Hg²⁺ activity was greatly diminished at pH 2.5 compared to that at pH 5.0. Overall, the performance of the present silver ion-selective electrode based on the ionophore, calix[2]furano[2]pyrrole, is very comparable to that of the electrode prepared with the commercially available neutral carrier in terms of slope, linear range, and detection limits.     

Ion-Selective Electrodes Based on Bilayer Film Coating

The electrode characteristics of ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) for K⁺, Na⁺, NH₄ ⁺, and Ca²⁺ based on bilayer film coatings, where the inner layer films are electroactive electropolymerized ones and the outer layer films are composed of conventional ion-sensitive materials, have been examined. These ISEs of the coated-wire electrode type have no conventional internal reference solution and reference electrode, but the inner films may be considered to function as the “internal standard solution.” The ion selectivity coefficients and the activity range showing Nernstian response were almost comparable to those of conventional liquid-membrane electrodes. The bilayer-coated ISEs showed insensitivity to O₂ and CO₂, long-term stability, and little drift. It was also found that the electrode performance is practically unchanged after sterilization in an autoclave. The results demonstrate that the bilayer-coated ISEs examined are promising for the determination of K⁺, Na⁺, NH₄ ⁺, or Ca²⁺ activity in biological and environmental systems.     

Response mechanism of platinum electrode to uncoupled ions(I)

The transient response mechanism of the platinum electrode to the uncoupled ions may be interpreted with the mixed phase formation (MPF) model of the transient response of precipitate-based ion-selective electrodes to interfering ions for K_xy ≪ 1. It is discovered that the peak height of the transient signal is related to the solubility of M(OH)₂ and hydration heat of M²⁺. The relation between the positive peak height of transient signal of pb²⁺ or cd²⁺ and lga_m obey the Nernst equation, while that of Ca²⁺ or Mg²⁺ does not. The equilibrium potential is not of Nernst response for all ions. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China.     

Local amperometric detection of K+ in aqueous solution using scanning electrochemical microscopy ion-transfer voltammetry

A robust ultramicroelectrode (UME) probe is described for the amperometric determination of K⁺ ions in aqueous solution. The approach is based on ion-transfer voltammetry at the interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions (ITIES), with a liquid ¦ liquid interface formed between a 1,2-dichloroethane solution, containing dibenzo-18-crown-6, in a glass capillary, which is placed in an aqueous K⁺ salt solution of interest (KCl in this study). The ITIES is externally polarised by applying a potential between silver electrodes in each phase. The UME probe has an inlaid disk geometry, making conventional ultramicroelectrode and scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) mass transport models applicable. Limiting current measurements of K⁺ in aqueous solution show a linear dependence on KCl concentration between 1 × 10⁴ and 2.5 × 10³ mol dm³. The K⁺ microprobe is shown to be particularly suitable for use in SECM, for both approach curve and imaging applications.     

Choice of Reference Electrode is Critical for Potentiometric Whole Cell‐based Sensor

Cells have a net negative outer charge which gives rise to a potential difference in a potentiometric set up. Here, Triton X‐100 was used as a model toxin and the cell death was monitored by the potential change, noticed as decrease in negativity. Hence, cytotoxicity can be tested in vitro and real‐time using potentiometry. However, silver ions (Ag⁺) and/or silver chloride ions (AgCl₂)^?1 lead to cell death when we used the standard Ag/AgCl reference electrode with 3 M NaCl as filling solution. Our further experimentation showed that PBS as filling solution was biocompatible and also gave stable potentiometric profiles.     

Crystal structure and charge compensation mechanism of β″-alumina type R+-gallate (R = K+, NH+4)

Single crystals of gallium analogs of K⁺- and NH⁺₄-β″-alumina (K⁺- and NH⁺₄-β″-gallate) were synthesized by ion exchanging Na⁺-β″-gallate. Crystal structures of the two gallates were refined using a single-crystal X-ray diffraction method. The positive charges due to excess K⁺ ions over the stoichiometric β-alumina composition in K⁺-β″-gallate were compensated by substituting Na⁺ ions for Ga³⁺ ions at the middle of spinel block. These Na⁺ ions were expelled from the crystals by ion exchange for NH⁺₄ ions with considerable changes in crystal structure. The excess positive charges in NH⁺₄-β″-gallate were neutralized by O²⁻ ions at the mO site associating with a new type of Frenkel defects around the conduction plane. The charge-compensation mechanism of these gallates were discussed from the crystal chemical point of view.     

Direct Potentiometric Measurement of NH4H2BO3 Following a Kjeldahl Distillation

Abstract

A method is described for the direct potentiometric measurement of NH₄H₂BO₃, following a Kjeldahl distillation. The NH₃ is distilled into a H₃BO₃ solution, and the activity of the NH₄H₂BO₃ is measured using a cation electrode sensitive to NH₄ ⁺ and an anion electrode sensitive to H₂BO₃. The method has been used to determine nitrogen in dried blood samples with assigned N values, and the potentiometric values agreed with the titrimetric results.     

Chemical composition and crystal structure of β-alumina type R+-gallate (R+ = K+, NH+4)

The crystal structures of β-alumina type K⁺-gallate (K⁺-β-gallate), Mg²⁺-doped K⁺-β-gallate, and NH⁺₄-β-gallate were refined by the single crystal X-ray diffraction method. The positive charges of excess K⁺ ions in K⁺-β-gallate were compensated by O^2? ions in the mO site which coordinated with interstitial Ga³⁺ ions. The charge compensation mechanism mentioned above was changed by doping with Mg²⁺ ions. The excess charges in Mg²⁺-doped K⁺-β-gallate were compensated by the replacement of Mg²⁺ ions for Ga³⁺ ions at the middle of spinel block. No defects were found in NH⁺₄-β-gallate for the charge compensation, which was completely consistent with the result of thermal analysis that indicated a stoichiometric composition of NH⁺₄-β-gallate.     

A Bis‐Oxime Derivative of Diaza‐18‐Crown‐6 as an Ionophore for Silver Ion

A new pendant‐arm derivative of diaza‐18‐crown‐6, containing two oxime donor groups, has been synthesized and incorporated into a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) membrane ion‐selective electrode. The electrode shows selectivity for Ag⁺ ion, with a near Nernstian response. Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, Hg²⁺, and Tl⁺ are major interfering ions, with Cd²⁺ having minor interference. The electrode shows no potentiometric response for the ions Mg²⁺, Al³⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Ni²⁺, Fe³⁺, and La³⁺, and is responsive to H⁺ at pH<6.     

Analytical Study of New Creatininium and Tetramethyl-ammonium Cation Selective Membrane Electrodes

Abstract

Two new liquid membrane electrodes which respond to creatininium and tetramethylammonium cations are described. The creatininium cation electrode exhibits rapid and near Nernstian response to creatininium cation activity, at pH 3, in the 10^?3?10^?1 mol/L range. The useful concentration range extends to 10^?4 mol/L. The tetramethyl-ammonium cation electrode exhibits rapid and near Nernstian response to tetramethylammonium cation activity, at pH 2–11.5, in the 2x10^?5? 10^?1 mol/L range. Major interferences for the creatininium electrode are Na⁺, K⁺, NH⁺ ₄ and creatine. The pK_a of the creatininium cation was calculated. A method is described for the potentiometric precipitation titration of tetramethylammonium cation with sodium tetraphenylboron. Amounts of tetramethylammonium in the range 20–200 μol have been determined using Gran's plots, with an average error of about 0.6%.     

Ag selective electrode based on glassy carbon electrode covered with polyaniline and thiacalix[4]arene as neutral carrier

Potentiometric sensor based on glassy carbon electrode covered with polyaniline and neutral carrier, e.g. thiacalix[4]arene containing pyridine fragments in the substituents in the lower rim has been developed and applied for determination of Ag⁺ ions in the range from 1.0 × 10⁻² to 5.0 × 10⁻⁷ M with the response time of 12 s. The presence of thiacalixarene in the surface layer improves the reversibility and selectivity of the signal towards transient metal ions. The potentiometric selectivity coefficients were determined for various measurement conditions. As shown, the pH control and the use of NaF as a masking agent fully eliminate the interfering effect of Hg²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions, respectively. The reaction of Ag⁺ with thiacalixarene was proved by the investigation of the extraction of picrate complexes of transient metals in the organic phase. The potentiometric sensor developed was successfully used for the potentiometric determination of silver sulfathiazole (Argosulfan™).     

Spatially-resolved imaging of concentration distributions on corroding magnesium-based materials exposed to aqueous environments by SECM

The spatial resolution of Mg^2 + release from magnesium and its alloys during exposure to aqueous environments has been imaged using a new, solid contact, micropipette-based magnesium-ion selective electrode employed as potentiometric tip in SECM. The detection of metal dissolution is a crucial factor to detect the local microelectrodes established on the surface of the metal, and distinguish the processes related to anodic and cathodic half-cell reactions. Concentration distribution images have been obtained for the magnesium-based alloy AZ63 when galvanically coupled to pure iron during exposure to 1 mM NaCl solution.     

An XPS investigation of silver bromide-coated ion-selective electrodes

XPS data of AgBr-coated ion-selective electrodes exposed to high concentrations of Ag⁺, Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, and NH₃ revealed a change in the surface properties of the original electrode. A 40 min to one week exposure of the silver bromide ion-selective electrode surface to solutions containing high concentrations of chloride ions leads to the formation of a mixed halide layer, as the chloride ions are incorporated in the surface. Exposure to high concentrations of iodide-containing solutions results in a new silver iodide layer on top of the original silver bromide laver. Silver ions diffuse to the newly formed layers. NH₃ results in the rapid degradation of the AgBr surface as the diamine complex, Ag(NH₃)⁺₂, is formed.     

In situ electrochemical studies for Li+ ions dissociation from the LiCoO2 electrode by the substrate-generation/tip-collection mode in SECM

This work presents the transportation of Li⁺ ions at the interface of a charging LiCoO₂ electrode through the substrate-generation/tip-collection (SG/TC) feedback mode of scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM). The TC current, due to the reduction of the ethylene carbonate (EC) supermolecule, is collected more strongly at 1.8 V than that of the Li⁺(DEC) _n at 2.5 V near at the substrate because of the increased concentration of the supermolecule Li⁺(EC)_m, which means that the electrolyte is not uniformly distributed over the substrate. The smooth SG/TC current loop is formed at the probe position optimized by the probe scan curve technique between the LiCoO₂ substrate with 4.0 V and the probe with 1.8 V, which is applied to analyze the Li⁺ ion transport at the interface of the LiCoO₂ electrode. Moreover, the LiCoO₂ substrate, which has a flat surface, is imaged to the nonuniform surface electrochemically by the SECM. We infer that these experimental techniques will help analyze transporting Li⁺ ions at the interface and the electrochemical uniformity of the electrode.