Highly selective and sensitive copper(II) membrane coated graphite electrode based on a recently synthesized Schiff’s base

A PVC membrane electrode based on bis-2-thiophenal propanediamine (TPDA) coated directly on graphite is described. The electrode exhibits a Nernstian response for Cu²⁺ over a very wide concentration range (1.0×10⁻¹ to 6.0×10⁻⁸ M) with a detection limit of 3.0×10⁻⁸ M (2.56 ng ml⁻¹). It has a fast response time and can be used for at least 2 months without any major deviation. The proposed sensor revealed very good selectivities for Cu²⁺ over a wide variety of other metal ions and could be used in the pH range of 3.0–7.0. It was successfully used for direct determination of copper in black tea and as an indicator electrode in potentiometric titration of copper ion.     

Copper(II)-selective membrane electrodes based on some recently synthesized mixed aza-thioether crowns containing a 1,10-phenanthroline sub-unit

Three different mixed aza-thioether crowns containing a 1,10-phenanthroline sub-unit were investigated to characterize their abilities as copper(II) ion carriers in PVC-membrane electrodes. The electrode based on L1 exhibited a Nernstian response for Cu²⁺ ions over a wide concentration range (2×10⁻¹ to 1×10⁻⁵ M) with a limit of detection of 8.0×10⁻⁶ M (0.5 p.p.m.). The response time of sensor is 15 s, and the membrane can be used for more than 3 months without observing any deviation. The electrode revealed comparatively good selectivities with respect to many alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions, and could be used in a pH range of 2.5–5.5. It was applied to the direct determination and potentiometric titration of the copper(II) ion.     

A new Zn(II)-selective potentiometric sensor based on 4-tert-butylcalix[4]arene in PVC matrix

Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) based membranes containing 4-tert-butylcalix[4]arene (I) as an electroactive material alongwith anion excluder sodiumtetraphenylborate (NaTPB) and plasticizer tri-butylphosphate (TBP) have been developed to fabricate a new zinc-selective sensor. Out of various compositions, the best performance was exhibited by the membrane having I, NaTPB, TBP and PVC in the ratio 8:5:100:200 (w/w). The sensor works well in the concentration range 9.8 × 10⁻⁶ to 1.0 × 10⁻¹ mol dm⁻³ with a near-Nernstian slope of 28.0 ± 1.0 mV/decade of activity. The detection limit is down to 5.0 × 10⁻⁷ mol dm⁻³. The working pH range of this sensor is 2.5–4.3 and it works well in partially non-aqueous medium up to 15% (v/v) (methanol, ethanol and acetone). It exhibits a fast response time of 30 s and could be used for more than four months without any considerable change in response characteristics. It has excellent selectivity for Zn(II) over other mono-, bi- and trivalent cations which have been reported to cause interference in the working of other sensors. It has been successfully used as an indicator electrode in the potentiometric titration of Zn(II) against EDTA and also to estimate zinc ions in industrial waste waters.     

Ni selective sensors based on meso-tetrakis-{4-[tris-(4-allyl dimethylsilyl-phenyl)-silyl]-phenyl}porphyrin and (sal)2trien in poly(vinyl chloride) matrix

PVC-based membranes of meso-tetrakis-{4-[tris-(4-allyl dimethylsilyl-phenyl)-silyl]-phenyl}porphyrin (I) and (sal)₂trien (II) as electroactive material with dioctylphthalate (DOP), tri-n-butylphosphate (TBP), chloronapthalene (CN), dibutylphthalate (DBP) and dibutyl(butyl) phosphonate (DBBP) as plasticising solvent mediators have been found to act as Ni²⁺ selective sensor. The best performance was obtained with the sensor having a membrane of composition of I: sodium tetraphenyl borate: PVC in the ratio 5:5:150. The sensor exhibits Nernstian response in the activity range 2.5 × 10⁻⁶ to 1.0 × 10⁻¹ M, performs satisfactorily over wide pH range (2–5.5) with a fast response time (8 s). The sensor was found to work satisfactorily in partially non-aqueous media up to 20% (v/v) content of methanol or ethanol and acetone and could be used over a period of 4 months. Potentiometric selectivity coefficients determined by matched potential method (MPM) indicate excellent selectivity for Ni²⁺ ions. The sensors could be used successfully in the estimation of nickel in different brand of chocolates and also as an indicator electrode in potentiometric titration.     

A bromide selective polymeric membrane electrode based on Zn(II) macrocyclic complex

A novel bromide ion-selective PVC membrane sensor based on 2,3,10,11-tetraphenyl-1,4,9,12-tetraazacyclohexadeca-1,3,9,11-tetraene zinc(II)complex (I) as carrier has been developed. The electrode exhibited wide working concentration range 2.2 × 10⁻⁶ to 1.0 × 10⁻¹ M and a limit of detection as 1.4 × 10⁻⁶ M with a Nernstian slope of 59.2 ± 0.5 mV per decade. The response time of electrode was 20 s over entire concentration range. The electrode possesses the advantages of low resistance, fast response and good selectivities for bromide over a variety of other anions and could be used in a pH range of 3.5–9.5. It was successfully used as an indicator electrode in the potentiometric titration of bromide ions with silver ion and also in the determination of bromide in real samples.     

Zn(II)-selective membrane electrode based on tetra(2-aminophenyl) porphyrin

A new PVC membrane electrode for Zn²⁺ ions based on tetra(2-aminophenyl) porphyrin (TAPP) as membrane carrier is prepared. The sensor exhibits a linear stable response over a wide concentration range (5.0×10⁻⁵ to 1.0×10⁻¹ M) with a slope of 26.5 mV/decade and a limit of detection 3.0×10⁻⁵ M (1.96 ppm). It has a response time of about l0 s and can be used for at least 8 months without any divergence in potential. The propose membrane sensor revealed good selectivities for Zn²⁺ over a wide variety of other metal ions and can be used in pH range of 3.0–6.0. It was successfully applied to the direct determination of zinc in a pharmaceutical sample and also as an indicator electrode in potentiometric titration of Zn²⁺ ions.     

Molecularly imprinted polymer-based potentiometric sensor for degradation product of chemical warfare agents: Part I. Methylphosphonic acid

A biomimetic potentiometric sensor for the specific recognition of methylphosphonic acid (MPA), the degradation product of nerve agents sarin, soman, VX, etc., was designed. This involves the preparation of MPA imprinted polymer particles and removal of the template by soxhlet extraction. Subsequently, the leached MIP particles were dispersed in 2-nitrophenyloctyl ether (plasticizer) and embedded in polyvinyl chloride matrix. The sensor responds to MPA in the concentration range 5 × 10⁻⁸ to 1 × 10⁻⁴ and 1 × 10⁻³ to 1 × 10⁻¹ M with a detection limit of 5 × 10⁻⁸ M. The selectivity of the sensor has been tested with respect to chemical analogues such as phosphoric acid, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, organophosphorous pesticide and triazine herbicides. The utility of the sensor was tested for field monitoring of MPA in spiked ground water.     

Voltammetric determination of glucose based on reduction of copper(II)–glucose complex at lanthanum hydroxide nanowire modified carbon paste electrodes

A novel voltammetric method for the determination of β-d-glucose (GO) is proposed based on the reduction of Cu(II) ion in Cu(II)(NH₃)₄²⁺–GO complex at lanthanum(III) hydroxide nanowires (LNWs) modified carbon paste electrode (LNWs/CPE). In 0.1 mol L⁻¹ NH₃·H₂O–NH₄Cl (pH 9.8) buffer containing 5.0 × 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹ Cu(II) ion, the sensitive reduction peak of Cu(II)(NH₃)₄²⁺–GO complex was observed at −0.17 V (versus, SCE), which was mainly ascribed to both the increase of efficient electrode surface and the selective coordination of La(III) in LNW to GO. The increment of peak current obtained by deducting the reduction peak current of the Cu(II) ion from that of the Cu(II)(NH₃)₄²⁺–GO complex was rectilinear with GO concentration in the range of 8.0 × 10⁻⁷ to 2.0 × 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹, with a detection limit of 3.5 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹. A 500-fold of sucrose and amylam, 100-fold of ascorbic acid, 120-fold of uric acid as well as gluconic acid did not interfere with 1.0 × 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹ GO determination.     

PVC membrane based potentiometric sensors for uranium determination

Two novel uranyl PVC matrix membrane sensors responsive to uranyl ion are described. The first sensor incorporates tris(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate (TEHP) as both electroactive material and plasticizer and sodium tetraphenylborate (NaTPB) as an ion discriminator. The sensor displays a rapid and linear response for UO₂²⁺ ions over the concentration range 1×10⁻¹–2×10⁻⁵ mol l⁻¹ UO₂²⁺ with a cationic slope of 25.0±0.2 mV decade⁻¹. The working pH range is 2.8–3.6 and the life span is 4 weeks. The second sensor contains O-(1,2-dihydro-2-oxo-1-pyridyl)-N,N,N′,N′-bis(tetra-methylene)uronium hexafluorophosphate (TPTU) as a sensing material, sodium tetraphenylborate as an ion discriminator and dioctyl phenylphosphonate (DOPP) as a plasticizer. Linear and stable response for 1×10⁻¹–5×10⁻⁵ mol l⁻¹ UO₂²⁺ with near-Nernstian slope of 27.5±0.2 mV decade⁻¹ are obtained. The working pH range is 2.5–3.5 and the life span of the sensor is 6 weeks. Interference from many inorganic cations is negligible for both sensors. However, interference caused by some ions (e.g. Th⁴⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺) is eliminated by a prior ion exchange or solvent extraction step. Direct potentiometric determination of as little as 5 μg ml⁻¹ uranium in aqueous solutions shows an average recovery of 97.2±1.3%. Application for the determination of uranium at levels of 0.01–1 wt.% in naturally occurring and certified ores gives results with good correlation with data obtained by X-ray fluorescence.     

Voltammetric study of the interaction of ciprofloxacin-copper with nucleic acids and the determination of nucleic acids

The behavior of the ciprofloxacin (CPFX) complex with copper, Cu(II)L₂, at a mercury electrode has been investigated in borax–boric acid buffer. The adsorption phenomena were observed by linear sweep voltammetry. The mechanism of the electrode reaction was found to be reduction of Cu(II)L₂ adsorbed on the surface of the electrode by an irreversible charge transfer to metal amalgam, Cu(0)(Hg). In the presence of DNA, the formation of the electrochemically non-active complexes Cu(II)L₂–DNA results in the decrease of the equilibrium concentration of Cu(II)L₂ and its peak current. Under the optimum conditions, the decrease of the peak current is proportional to DNA concentration. The linear ranges are 6.67×10⁻⁸ to 1.20×10⁻⁵ g ml⁻¹ for calf thymus DNA (ctDNA), 3.30×10⁻⁸ to 2.33×10⁻⁶ g ml⁻¹ for fish sperm DNA (fsDNA) and 1.0×10⁻⁸ to 1.2×10⁻⁶ g ml⁻¹ for yeast RNA. The detection limits are 5.00×10⁻⁹, 3.00×10⁻⁹ and 2.50×10⁻⁹ g ml⁻¹, respectively. This method exhibits good recovery and high sensitivity.     

Synthesis, structure and non-linear optical property of a copper(II) thiocyanate three-dimensional supramolecular compound

A novel copper(II) thiocyanate complex [Cu(im)₂(NCS)₂] 1 (im=imidazole) has been prepared and characterized by spectroscopic analysis and crystallographic method. This supramolecular compound exhibits a three-dimensional solid state structure constituted by N–HS hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking interactions. The compound in DMF solutions has a very strong third-order non-linear optical (NLO) behavior with absorption coefficient and refractive index ₂=1.18×10⁻¹¹ mw⁻¹, n₂=−9.00×10⁻¹⁶ m²w⁻¹, respectively, and third-order NLO susceptibility χ⁽³⁾ of 7.00×10⁻¹⁰ esu.     

An iron(III) ion-selective sensor based on a μ-bis(tridentate) ligand

A μ-bis(tridentate) ligand named 2-phenyl-1,3-bis[3′-aza-4′-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)-prop-4-en-1′-yl]-1,3-imidazolidine (I) has been synthesized and scrutinized to develop iron(III)-selective sensors. The addition of sodium tetraphenyl borate and various plasticizers, viz., chloronaphthalene, dioctylphthalate, o-nitrophenyl octyl ether and dibutylphthalate has been used to substantially improve the performance of the sensors. The membranes of various compositions of the ligand were investigated and it was found that the best performance was obtained for the membrane of composition (I) (10 mg):PVC (150 mg):chloronaphthalene (200 mg):sodium tetraphenyl borate (9 mg). The sensor showed a linear potential response to iron(III) over wide concentration range 6.3 × 10⁻⁶ to 1.0 × 10⁻¹ M (detection limit 5.0 × 10⁻⁶ M) with Nernstian slope (20.0 mV/decade of activity) between pH 3.5 and 5.5 with a quick response time of 15 s. The potentiometric selectivity coefficient values as determined by match potential method (MPM) indicate excellent selectivity for Fe³⁺ ions over interfering cations. The sensor exhibits adequate life of 2 months with good reproducibility. The sensor could be used in direct potentiometry.     

A fluorescent chemosensor for cobalt ions based on a multi-substituted phenol-ruthenium(II) tris(bipyridine) complex

An amide-linked 2,6-bis{[(2-hydroxy-5-tert-butylbenzyl)(pyridyl-2-methyl)-amino]-methyl}-4-methylphenol-ruthenium(II) tris(bipyridine) 2PF₆⁻ complex, 1, was first used to recognize Co(II) in EtOH/H₂O (1:1, v/v) solution, with the ruthenium(II) tris(bipyridine) moiety selected as a fluorophore and the multi-substituted phenol unit chosen as a receptor. The fluorescence quenching of 1 was attributed to the formation of an inclusion complex between multi-substituted phenol unit and Co(II) by 1:1 complex ratio (K = 2.5 × 10⁵), which has been utilized as the basis of the fabrication of the Co(II)-sensitive fluorescent chemosensor. The analytical performance characteristics of the proposed Co(II)-sensitive chemosensor were investigated. The sensor can be applied to the quantification of Co(II) with a linear range covering from 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ to 5.0 × 10⁻⁵ M and a detection limit of 5 × 10⁻⁸ M. The experiment results show that the response behavior of 1 to Co(II) is pH-independent in medium condition (pH 4.5–9.5) and show excellent selectivity for Co(II) over transition metal cations except Cu(II). The chemosensor has been used for determination of Co(II) in water samples.     

Flow-injection in-line complexation for ion-pair reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography of some metal-4-(2-pyridylazo) resorcinol chelates

Flow injection (FI) was coupled to ion-pair reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (IP-RPHPLC) for the simultaneous analysis of some metal-4-(2-pyridylazo) resorcinol (PAR) chelates. A simple reverse flow injection (rFI) set-up was used for in-line complexation of metal-PAR chelates prior to their separation by IP-RPHPLC. The rFI conditions were: injection volume of PAR 85 μL, flow rate of metal stream 4.5 mL min⁻¹, concentration of PAR 1.8 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ and the mixing coil length of 150 cm. IP-RPHPLC was carried out using a C₁₈ μBondapak column with the mobile phase containing 37% acetonitrile, 3.0 mmol L⁻¹ acetate buffer pH 6.0 and 6.2 mmol L⁻¹ tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBABr) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min⁻¹ and visible detection at 530 and 440 nm. The analysis cycle including in-line complexation and separation by IP-RPHPLC was 16 min, which able to separate Cr(VI) and the PAR chelates of Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II).     

Flow-injection potentiometric determination of triiodide by plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) membrane electrodes and its application to the determination of chlorine-containing disinfectants

Plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) membranes of different compositions were tested for use in the construction of potentiometric flow detectors for triiodide. A membrane with a 2:1 (w/w) 2-nitrophenyl octyl ether to PVC ratio was selected. The influence of thiosulphate in the carrier solution composition and of the flow-injection variables on the determination of triiodide was studied. In the selected conditions, a linear relationship between peak height and log[I₃⁻] was obtained between 5 × 10⁻⁶ and 1 × 10⁻⁴ mol l⁻¹ triiodide. Peak height relative standard deviations for 2 × 10⁻⁵ and 1 × 10⁻⁴ mol l⁻¹ triiodide were ±0.4 and ±1.8%, respectively, and sampling frequency was 80 samples per hour. The method proposed was applied satisfactorily to the iodometric determination of different chlorine-containing disinfectants, among them trichloroisocyanuric acid and dichloroisocyanurate in several types of commercial sample.     

Iodide-selective carbon paste electrodes based on recently synthesized Schiff base complexes of Fe(III)

A new modified carbon paste electrode (CPE) based on a recently synthesized Schiff base complex of Fe(III) as a suitable carrier for I⁻ ion is described. The electrode exhibits a super Nernstian slope of 71.0±0.3 mV per decade for I⁻ ion over a wide concentration range from 1.0×10⁻⁶ to 5.0×10⁻¹ M, with a low detection limit of 6.5×10⁻⁷ M. It has a relatively fast response time, a satisfactory reproducibility and relatively long life time. The proposed sensor shows a fairly good selectivity toward I⁻ ion in comparison to other common anions. The potentiometric response is independent of the pH of the test solution in the pH range 3.5–10.0. Spectrophotometric studies confirmed the redox-type response mechanism of the electrode toward iodide ion. The proposed electrode was used as an indicator electrode in potentiometric titration of iodide ion.     

Application of lead film electrode for simultaneous adsorptive stripping voltammetric determination of Ni(II) and Co(II) as their nioxime complexes

An adsorptive stripping voltammetric (AdSV) procedure for simultaneous determination of Ni(II) and Co(II) in the presence of nioxime as a complexing agent at an in situ plated lead film electrode was described. The Co(II) signal was enhanced by exploitation of the catalytic process in the presence of nitrite. Ni(II) and Co(II) signals are better separated than in the case of bismuth film electrodes. Calibration graphs for an accumulation time of 120 s are linear from 1 × 10⁻⁹ to 1 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹ and from 1 × 10⁻¹⁰ to 5 × 10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹ for Ni(II) and Co(II), respectively. The proposed procedure was applied for Ni(II) and Co(II) determination in water certified reference materials.     

A new fluorescent probe of rhodamine B derivative for the detection of copper ion

A new fluorescent probe, rhodamine B hydrazide oxalamide (RBHO), which shows very weak fluorescence, was synthesized, and its fluorescence could be substantially enhanced by the addition of copper ion. The probe shows a high selectivity and sensitivity to copper ion by forming a 1:1 complex in acetonitrile, and the chelating is reversible. Limit of detection for copper ion in acetonitrile was found to be 3.7 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹. It was also found that copper ion could catalyze the hydrolysis of the probe in 50% (v/v) buffered (10 mM Tris–HCl, pH 7.0) water/acetonitrile giving a highly fluorescent product, and the fluorescence detection of copper ion was developed in this neutral buffered media with a detection limit of 6.4 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹. Determination of copper ion in water and synthetic samples in the presence of different interfering metal ions was successfully carried out with the new probe RBHO.     

Lead ion-selective membrane electrodes based on some recently synthesized 9,10-anthraquinone derivatives

Four different 9,10-anthraquinone derivatives were studied to characterize their abilities as lead ion carrier in PVC membrane electrodes. The electrode based on 1,8-dihydroxy-2,7-bis(prop-2′-enyl)-9,10-anthraquinone exhibits a Nernstian response for Pb²⁺ ions over a wide concentration range (2.0×10⁻³–2.0×10⁻⁶ M). The response time of the sensor is 30 s and the membrane can be used for more than four months without observing any deviation. The electrode revealed comparatively good selectivities with respect to alkali, alkaline earth and some transition and heavy metal ions. It was used as an indicator electrode in potentiometric titration of sulfate ions with a lead ion solution.     

Cathodic adsorptive stripping voltammetric behaviour of guanine in the presence of copper at the static mercury drop electrode

The cathodic adsorptive electrochemical behavior of guanine in the presence of some metal ions at the static mercury drop electrode was investigated. A 1.0×10⁻³ mol l⁻¹ NaOH or a 2.0×10⁻² mol l⁻¹ Hepes buffer at pH 8.0 solutions were used as supporting electrolytes. The reduction peak potential for guanine was found to be around −0.15 V, which is very close to the mercury reduction wave. A new peak appears at −0.60 V in the presence of copper or at −1.05 V in the presence of zinc. A square wave voltammetric procedure for electroanalytical determination of guanine in 2.0×10⁻² mol l⁻¹ Hepes buffer at pH 8.0 containing 1.6×10⁻⁵ mol l⁻¹of copper ions, was developed. An accumulation potential of −0.15 V during 270 s for the prior adsorption of guanine at the electrode surface was used. The response of the system was found to be linear in the range of guanine concentration from 6.62×10⁻⁸ to 1.32×10⁻⁷ mol l⁻¹ and the detection limit was 7.0×10⁻⁹ mol l⁻¹. The influence of DNA bases such as adenine, cytosine and thymine was also examined. Cyclic voltammetry was used to characterize the interfacial and redox mechanism.