Polymeric membrane electrodes with enhanced fluoride selectivity using Zr(IV)-porphyrins functioning as neutral carriers

Poly(vinyl chloride) polymeric membranes plasticized with o-NPOE (o-nitrophenyl octyl ether) or DOS (dibutyl sebacate) and containing Zr(IV)-octaethyl(OEP)- or Zr(IV)-tetraphenylporphyrins (TPP) along with lipophilic cationic additives (tridodecylmethylammonium chloride; TDMACl) are examined potentiometrically and optically with respect to their response toward fluoride. It is shown that these zirconium porphyrins can function as neutral anion carriers within the organic membranes of the electrodes. Spectrophotometric measurements of thin polymeric films indicate that the presence of lipophilic cationic sites in the form of TDMA⁺ and use of lower dielectric constant plasticizer (DOS) prevents formation of metalloporphyrin dimers in the organic polymer phase, which have been observed previously in polymeric membranes formulated with the same Zr(IV) porphyrins but with lipophilic anion site additives. By preventing dimer formation, rapid and Nernstian potentiometric response of the corresponding membrane electrodes toward fluoride ion is observed. Indeed, electrodes prepared with PVC/DOS membranes containing Zr(IV)-OEP and 15 mol% of TDMACl (relative to the ionophore) exhibit fast (t₉₅<15 s) and reversible response toward fluoride. The slope of calibration plots are near-Nernstian (−59.9 mV per decade). Such electrodes display the following selectivity pattern: ClO₄⁻>SCN⁻>F⁻>NO₃⁻>Br⁻>Cl⁻, which differs significantly from the classical Hofmeister series, with greatly enhanced potentiometric selectivity toward fluoride. The data presented herein, coupled with results from a previous study, confirm that Zr(IV) porphyrins can serve as either charged or neutral type anion carriers with respect to their enhanced interactions with fluoride when used as ionophores to prepare liquid-polymeric membrane electrodes, and that the nature of membrane additives and plasticizer dictates the response mechanism at play for given membrane formulations.     

Polymeric membrane electrodes with improved fluoride selectivity and lifetime based on Zr(IV)- and Al(III)-tetraphenylporphyrin derivatives

Novel aluminum(III)- and zirconium(IV)-tetraphenylporhyrin (TPP) derivatives are examined as fluoride-selective ionophores for preparing polymer membrane-based ion-selective electrodes (ISEs). The influence of t-butyl- or dichloro-phenyl ring substituents as well as the nature of the metal ion center (Al(III) versus Zr(IV)) on the anion complexation constants of TPP derivative ionophores are reported. The anion binding stability constants of the ionophores are characterized by the so-called “sandwich membrane” method. All of the metalloporphyrins examined form their strongest anion complexes with fluoride. The influence of plasticizer as well as the type of lipophilic ionic site additive and their amounts in the sensing membrane are discussed. It is shown that membrane electrodes formulated with the metalloporphyrin derivatives and appropriate anionic or cationic additives exhibit enhanced potentiometric response toward fluoride over all other anions tested. Since selectivity toward fluoride is enhanced in the presence of both anionic and cationic additives, the metalloporphyrins can function as either charged or neutral carriers within the organic membrane phase. In contrast to previously reported fluoride-selective polymeric membrane electrodes based on metalloporphyrins, nernstian or near-nernstian (−51.2 to −60.1 mV decade⁻¹) as well as rapid (t < 80 s) and fully reversible potentiometric fluoride responses are observed. Moreover, use of aluminum(III)-t-butyltetraphenylporphyrin as the ionophore provides fluoride sensors with prolonged (7 months) functional lifetime.     

Asymmetrical Schiff Bases as Carriers in PVC Membrane Electrodes for Cadmium (II) Ions

5‐[((4‐Methyl phenyl) azo)‐N‐(6‐amino‐2‐pyridin) salicylaldimine] (S₁), and 5‐[((4‐methyl phenyl) azo)‐N‐(2‐diamino‐2‐cyano‐1‐ethyl cyanide) salicylaldehyde] (S₂) with N and O donor atoms are effective ionophores to make Cd²⁺‐selective membrane electrodes. The electrodes based on S₁ and S₂ exhibits a Nernstian or near‐Nernstian response for cadmium ion over a wide concentration range 1.5×10^?1–7.5×10^?7 with a slope of 28 and 2.0×10^?1–4.0×10^?7 with a slope of 22, respectively. They have quick response and can be used for three or four months without any divergence in potential. The proposed sensors show fairly good selectivity over some alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions. The electrodes based on S₁ and S₂ can be used in the pH range 3.5–9. These electrodes were used as an indicator electrode in potentiometric titration of cadmium ion with EDTA and in the direct determination of cadmium ion in aqueous solutions.     

Complexes of tetra-tert-butyl-tetraazaporphine with Al(III) and Zr(IV) cations as fluoride selective ionophores

In this work, complexes of Zr(IV) and Al(III) cations with 2,7,12,17-tetra-tert-butyl-5,10,15,20-tetraazaporphine (TAP) were tested as ionophores in plasticized PVC membranes of ion-selective electrodes. It was found that both tested ionophores show enhanced affinity towards fluoride anion. High fluoride selectivity was observed in the presence of anionic or cationic additives in the membrane, which indicates that proposed compounds work according to charged or neutral carrier mechanism, depending on membrane composition and pretreatment.tert-Butyl substituents, present in the structure of tested compounds, were supposed to prevent formation of ionophore dimers within the membrane phase. This process was found to be responsible for some unfavorable potentiometric properties of electrodes based on complexes of Zr(IV) and Al(III) cations with porphyrins (compounds closely related to tetra-tert-butyl-5,10,15,20-tetraazaporphine). As it was shown using spectrophotometrical measurements, Al(III)-TAP was not susceptible to dimerization, while dimer formation was observed for Zr(IV)-TAP. In full agreement with these observations, electrodes with membranes containing Al(III)-TAP responded in near-Nernstian and fast manner towards fluoride anion, while the employment of Zr(IV)-TAP as ionophore resulted in super-Nernstian and sluggish response. Plasticized PVC membranes doped with Al(III)-TAP and 20 mol% of lipophilic anionic additives shown remarkable F⁻ selectivity, with selectivity coefficients, , as follows: −4.4 (Y⁻Br⁻), −4.3 (Cl⁻), −4.2 (NO₃⁻), −3.6 (SCN⁻), −2.9 (ClO₄⁻).     

Amide and Acyl‐Hydrazine Functionalized Calix[4]arenes as Carriers for Hydrogen Phosphate Selective Electrodes

Anion‐selective solvent polymeric membrane based on hydrogen bond‐forming, neutral ionophores with amide or acyl‐hydrazine groups are described. The use of the two calix[4]arenes results in anion‐selective electrodes with a selectivity for phosphate. The electrodes of the optimum characteristic have the composition of 1 wt% ionophore, 66 wt% o‐NPOE, 33 wt% poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) and TDMACl (15 or 30 mol% relative to the ionophore 1 and 2 , respectively). The optimized membrane electrodes show Nernstian responses towards monohydrogen phosphate (?29.1 and ?29.3 mV/decade) based on ionophore 1 and 2 , respectively, in a wide concentration range (1.0×10^?5 to 1.0×10^?2 or 1.0×10^?5 to 1.0×10^?1 M). The selectivity coefficients are determined with the fixed interference method and the activity ratio method. The electrodes display an anti‐Hofmeister series selectivity pattern and highly selective for HPO₄^2? over Cl^?, Br^?, CH₃COO^?, NO₃^? and SO₄^2?. The lifetime of the electrodes is at least 1 month and their response time is found to be 25 s. The proposed sensors could be put to analytical use both by direct potentiometry as well as potentiometric titration.     

Novel Ytterbium(III) Selective Membrane Sensor Based on N‐(2‐Pyridyl)‐N′‐(2‐Methoxyphenyl)‐Thiourea as an Excellent Carrier and Its Application to Determination of Fluoride in Mouth Wash Preparation Samples

The construction, performance, and applications of a novel ytterbium(III) sensor based on N‐(2‐pyridyl)‐N′‐(2‐methoxyphenyl)‐thiourea (PMT), as an excellent carrier, in plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) PVC matrix, is described. The influences of membrane composition and pH on the potentiometric response of the sensor were investigated. The sensor exhibits a nice Nernstian response for Yb(III) ion over a wide concentration range of 4 decades of concentration (1.0×10^?6–1.0×10^?2 M), and a detection limit of 5.0×10^?7 M. The response time of the electrodes is between 8 and 10 s, depending on the concentration of ytterbium(III) ions. The proposed sensor can be used for about 8 weeks without any considerable divergence in potential. The sensor revealed very good selectivity for Yb(III) in the presence of several metal ions. The best performance was observed for the membrane containing; 30% PVC, 59% o‐nitrophenyloctyl ether (NPOE) as solvent mediator, 7% PMT, and 4% sodium tetraphenyl borate (NaTPB). It was successfully applied as indicator electrodes in the potentiometric titration of Yb(III) with EDTA and for the determination of fluoride ion in two mouth wash formulations. The proposed La(III) sensor was found to work well under laboratory conditions. It was also used as an indicator electrode in titration of a 1.0×10^?4 M of Yb(III) with a standard EDTA solution (1.0×10^?2 M). It was also used for determination of Yb(III) ion in Xenotime .     

Highly Selective Chromium(III) PVC‐Membrane Electrodes Based on Some Recently Synthesized Schiff's Bases

Three recently synthesized Schiff's bases were studied to characterize their ability as Cr³⁺ ion carrier in PVC‐membrane electrodes. The polymeric membrane (PME) and coated glassy carbon (CGCE) electrodes based on 2‐hydroxybenzaldehyde‐O,O′‐(1,2‐dioxetane‐1,2‐diyl) oxime (L1) exhibited Nernstian responses for Cr³⁺ ion over wide concentration ranges (1.5×10^?6–8.0×10^?3 M for PME and 4.0×10^?7–3.0×10^?3 M for CGCE) and very low limits of detection (1.0×10^?6 M for PME and 2.0×10^?7 M for CGCE). The proposed potentiometric sensors manifest advantages of relatively fast response and, most importantly, good selectivities relative to a wide variety of other cations. The selectivity behavior of the proposed Cr³⁺ ion‐selective electrodes revealed a considerable improvement compared to the best previously PVC‐membrane electrodes for chromium(III) ion. The potentiometric responses of the electrodes are independent of pH of the test solution in the pH range 3.0–6.0. The electrodes were successfully applied to determine chromium(III) in water samples.     

Effects of ion-carrier substituents on the potentiometric-response characteristics in anion-selective membrane electrodes based on iron porphyrins.

The potentiometric response characteristics with respect to salicylate anion of several membrane electrodes based on iron(III) tetraphenylporphyrin chloride (FeTPPCl) and derivatives with electrophilic and nucleophilic substituents, incorporated into plasticized polyvinylchloride (PVC) membranes were investigated. Complexes tetraphenyl porphyrin iron(III) chloride (FeTPPCl; A), tetrakis (4-methoxyphenyl) porphyrin iron(III) chloride (Fe(TOCH3PP)Cl; B), tetrakis (2,6-dichlorophenyl) porphyrin iron(III) chloride (Fe(TDClPP)Cl; C), tetrakis (4-nitrophenyl) porphyrin iron(III) chloride (Fe(TNO2PP)Cl; D), and tetrakis (pentafluorophenyl) porphyrin iron(III) chloride (Fe(TPFPP)Cl; E) were used as anion carriers in the membrane electrodes. The sensitivity, working range, detection limit, response mechanism, and selectivity of the membrane sensor toward interference shows a considerable dependence on the type of carrier substituent and the pH value of the sample solution. Potentiometric investigations in solutions of various pH show that the carrier complex containing fluoro substituents (E), which have very strong electron-accepting properties and a high ability to form hydrogen bonds, is capable of serving as a positively charged ionophore. Some other ionophores are capable of serving as both charged and neutral carriers under different conditions. The electrodes prepared in this work show super-Nernstian slopes with respect to salicylate concentration, which tend to a Nernstian response (slope near to -59 mV decade-1) upon an increase of the pH of the test solution. The results of UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy are used for interpretation of the formation of an oxene complex between salicylate and iron porphyrins.     

Highly Selective Nd(III) Sensors: Novel Macrocyclic Compounds for Potentiometric Determination of Neodymium

Conductometric studies on the complexation properties of two newly synthesized lariat ethers viz 1,5‐di(cyanoethane)‐2,4 : 7,8 : 13,14‐tribenzo‐1,5‐diaza‐9,12‐dioxacyclopentadeca‐2,7,13‐triene (L₁) and 1,5‐di(cyanoethane)‐2,3,4‐pyridine‐7,8 : 13,14‐dibenzo‐1,3,5‐triaza‐9,12‐dioxa cyclopentadeca‐2,7,13‐triene (L₂) towards various metal ions in acetonitrile solutions revealed the formation of 1 : 1 ligand metal complexation. These compounds were explored as neutral ionophores for the fabrication of Nd³⁺ selective and sensitive membrane coated graphite electrodes (CGEs). Among all the electrodes prepared, CGEs with membrane composition L₁(5%) : NaTPB(3%) : NPOE (57%) : PVC (35%) and L₂(5%) : NaTPB(3%) : NPOE (53%) : PVC (39%) showed best performance. Both the electrodes showed Nernstian response towards Nd³⁺ ions over a wide concentration range with detection limits 3.8×10^?8 mol L^?1 and 1.6×10^?8 mol L^?1 respectively. These electrodes showed a fast response time of <15 s and could be used over a period of three months without significant divergence in their characteristics. The proposed electrodes revealed very good selectivity for Nd³⁺ ions over several ions. However, higher concentration of Co²⁺, La³⁺, Pr³⁺ and Yb³⁺ caused some interference. The potentiometric response of these electrodes was excellent in the range of pH 3.5 to 7.6 and they could tolerate up to 20% (v/v) nonaqueous media in the test solutions. These electrodes were used successfully as indicator electrode in the potentiometric titration of Nd³⁺ against EDTA and also in the quantitative determination of Nd³⁺ ions from binary mixtures and water samples.     

Use of Tin (IV) Porhyrins as Ionophores for the Construction of Phthalate‐Selective Electrodes: Influence of the Structure and Membrane Composition on their Response Properties

Tin(IV) porphyrins derivatives were used as ionophores for phthalate selective electrodes preparation. The influence of ionophore structure and membrane composition (amount of incorporated ionic sites) on the electrode response, selectivity and long‐term stability were studied. Poly(vinyl chloride) polymeric membranes plasticized with o‐NPOE (o‐nitrophenyloctylether) and containing Sn(IV)‐tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP) dichloride (Sn(IV)[TPP]Cl₂) or Sn(IV)‐octaethylporphyrin (OEP) dichloride (Sn(IV)[OEP]Cl₂), and in some cases incorporating lipophilic cationic (tetraocthylammonium bromide ‐ TOABr) and anionic (sodium tetraphenylborate – NaTPB and potassium tetrakis[3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate‐KTFPB) additives, were prepared and their potentiometric characteristics compared. Both ionophores are shown to operate via a neutral mechanism, and the addition of 10 mol % of lipophilic quaternary ammonium salt derivative to the membrane is required to achieve optimal electrode performance. The potentiometric units prepared, with Sn(IV)[TPP]Cl₂ (Type A) or Sn(IV)[OEP]Cl₂ (Type B) without additives, presented a slope of ?52.8 mV dec^?1 and ?58.8 mV dec^?1 and LLLR of 9.9×10^?5 mol L^?1 and 9.9×10^?6 mol L^?1, respectively. The units prepared using the same metalloporphyrins and incorporating 10% mol TOABr presented a slope of ?55.0 mV dec^?1 and ?57.8 mV dec^?1 and LLLR of 5.0×10^?7 mol L^?1 and 3.0×10^?7 mol L^?1. Their analytical usefulness was assessed by potentiometric determinations of phthalate in water and industrial products providing results that presented recoveries of about 100%.     

Polymethacrylate polymers with appended aluminum(III)-tetraphenylporphyrins: Synthesis, characterization and evaluation as macromolecular ionophores for electrochemical and optical fluoride sensors

The synthesis and characterization of a novel polymethacylate polymer with covalently linked Al(III)-tetraphenylporphyrin (Al(III)-TPP) groups is reported. The new polymer is examined as a potential macromolecular ionophore for the preparation of polymeric membrane-based potentiometric and optical fluoride selective sensors. To prepare the polymer, an Al(III) porphyrin monomer modified with a methacrylate functionality is synthesized, allowing insertion into a polymethacrylate block copolymer (methyl methacrylate and decyl methacrylate) backbone. The resulting polymer can then be incorporated, along with appropriate additives, into conventional plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) films for testing electrochemical and optical fluoride response properties. The covalent attachment of the Al(III)-TPP ionophore to the copolymer matrix provides potentiometric sensors that exhibit significant selectivity for fluoride ion with extended lifetimes (compared to ion-selective membrane electrodes formulated with conventional free Al(III)-TPP structure). However, quite surprisingly, the attachment of the ionophore to the polymer does not eliminate the interaction of Al(III)-TPP structures to form dimeric species within the membrane phase in the presence of fluoride ion. Such interactions are confirmed by UV/visible spectroscopy of the blended polymeric films. Use of the new polymer-Al(III)-TPP conjugates to prepare optical fluoride sensors by co-incorporating a lipophilic pH indicator (4′,5′-dibromofluorescein octadecyl ester; ETH7075) is also examined and the resulting optical sensing films are shown to exhibit excellent selectivity for fluoride, with the potential for prolonged operational lifetime.     

Anion-selective membrane electrodes based on metalloporphyrins: The influence of lipophilic anionic and cationic sites on potentiometric selectivity

The role of lipophilic anionic and cationic additives on the potentiometric anion selectivities of polymer membrane electrodes prepared with various metalloporphyrins as anion selective ionophores is examined. The presence of lipophilic anionic sites (e.g. tetraphenylborate derivatives) is shown to enhance the non-Hofmeister anion selectivities of membranes doped with In(III) and Sn(IV) porphyrins. In contrast, membranes containing Co(III) porphyrins require the addition of lipophilic cationic sites (e.g. tridodecylmethylammonium ions) in order to achieve optimal anion selectivity (for nitrite and thiocyanate) as well as rapid and reversible Nernstian response toward these anionic species. These experimental results coupled with appropriate theoretical models that predict the effect of lipophilic anion and cation sites on the selectivities of membranes doped with either neutral or charged carrier type ionophores may be used to determine the operative ionophore mechanism of each metalloporphyrin complex within the organic membrane phase.     

A Novel Al(III)‐Selective Electrochemical Sensor Based on N,N′‐Bis(salicylidene)‐1,2‐phenylenediamine Complexes

A polyvinylchloride membrane sensor based on N,N′‐bis(salecylidene)‐1,2‐phenylenediamine (salophen) as membrane carrier was prepared and investigated as a Al³⁺‐selective electrode. The sensor exhibits a Nernstian response toward Al(III) over a wide concentration range (8.0×10^?7–3.0×10^?2 M), with a detection limit of 6.0×10^?7 M. The potentiometric response of the sensor is independent of the pH of the test solution in the pH range 3.2–4.5. The electrode possesses advantages of very fast response and high selectivity for Al³⁺ in comparison with alkali, alkaline earth and some heavy metal ions. The sensor was used as an indicator electrode, in the potentiometric titration of aluminum ion and in determination of Al³⁺ contents in drug, water and waste water samples.     

Highly sensitive and selective solid-contact calcium sensor based on Schiff base of benzil with 3-aminosalycilic acid covalently attached to polyacrylic acid amide for health care

Solid-state potentiometric calcium sensors based on newly synthesized Schiff’s base of 3-aminosalycilic acid with benzil [2-hydroxy-3-(2-oxo-1,2-diphenylethylidene)amino) benzoic acid] ionophore I and with isatin [2-hydroxy-3-(2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene amino)benzoic acid] ionophore II ionophores and their covalently attached to polyacrylamide ionophores III and IV, respectively, were developed. The all-solid-state sensors were constructed by the application of a thin film of polymeric membrane cocktail onto gold electrodes that were pre-coated with the conducting polymer poly (3,4-ethylenedioxy-thiophen) as an ion and electron transducer. More than 40 sensors with membranes containing plasticized PVC or poly(butyl methacrylate-co-dodecyl methacrylate as a plasticizer-free membrane matrix were investigated. The constructed sensors contained various amounts of the different ionophores with and without anionic lipophilic additive. The sensor containing 10% of ionophore III and 3% tetra (p-chlorophenyl) borate in acrylate copolymer exhibited a stable potentiometric response over a wide pH range of 4–9. It possessed a linear concentration range of 6 10^?10 to 1 10^?2 mol L^?1 with a Nernstian slope of 28.5 mV/decade and a limit of detection (LOD) of 2 10^?10 mol L^?1. It exhibited a good selectivity for calcium to other cations. The selectivity coefficients towards different mono-, di- and trivalent cations were determined with the fixed interference method (FIM) and separate solution method (SSM). The sensor’s life time is more than 3 months, without significant deterioration in the slope. The proposed sensors were utilized for the determination of calcium concentration in serum. The results were compared with those obtained from routine clinical laboratory electrolyte analyser. The results reveal that the all-solid-state calcium sensor is promising for the point of care testing.     

Mixed Aza‐Thioether Crowns Containing a 1,10‐Phenanthroline Sub‐Unit as Neutral Ionophores for Silver Ion

Three different recently synthesized aza‐thioether crowns containing a 1,10‐phenanthroline sub‐unit (L1–L3) and a corresponding acyclic ligand (L4) were studied to characterize their abilities as silver ion ionophores in PVC‐membrane electrodes. Novel conventional silver‐selective electrodes with internal reference solution (CONISE) and coated graphite‐solid contact electrodes (SCISE) were prepared based on one of the 15‐membered crowns containing two donating S atoms and two phenanthroline‐N atoms (L1). The electrodes reveal a Nernstian behavior over wide Ag⁺ ion concentration ranges (1.0×10^?5?1.0×10^?1 M for CONISE and 5.0×10^?8?4.0×10^?2 M for SCISE) and very low limits of detection (8.0×10^?6 M for CONISE and 3.0×10^?8 M for SCISE). The potentiometric response is independent from pH of the solution in the pH range 3.0–8.0. The electrodes manifest advantages of low resistance, very fast response and, most importantly, good selectivities relative to a wide variety of other cations. The electrodes can be used for at least 2 months (for CONISE) and 4 months for (SCISE) without any appreciable divergence in potentials. The electrodes were used as an indicator electrode in the potentiometric titration of Ag⁺ ion and in the determination of silver in photographic emulsions and in radiographic and photographic films.     

Room Temperature Ionic Liquids (RTILs) and Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) as Modifiers for Improvement of Carbon Paste Ion Selective Electrode Response; A Comparison Study with PVC Membrane

Room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs), 1‐n‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, [bmim]BF₄, and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were used for improvement of a praseodymium carbon paste ion selective sensor response. [bmim]BF₄ can be a better binder than mineral oils. MWCNTs have a good conductivity which helps the transduction of the signal in carbon paste electrode. The characteristics of these electrodes as potentiometric sensors were evaluated and compared with PVC membrane sensor. The results indicate that potentiometric sensor constructed with ionic liquid shows an increase in performance in terms of Nernstian slope, selectivity, response time, and response stability compared to Pr(III) PVC membrane sensor.     

Construction of novel simple phosphate screen-printed and carbon paste ion-selective electrodes

The construction and performance characteristics of different phosphate ion-selective electrodes are described. Three types of electrodes are demonstrated, namely screen-printed, carbon paste and the conventional PVC membrane electrodes. The cited electrodes are based on bisthiourea ionophores and show a considerable selectivity towards hydrogenphosphate with Nernstian slopes depending on the type of the electrode and the ionophore used. Matrix compositions of each electrode are optimised on the basis of effects of type and concentration of the ionophore as well as influence of the selected plasticizers. The screen-printed electrodes work satisfactorily in the concentration range 10⁻⁵ to 10⁻² mol L⁻¹ with anionic Nernstian compliance (32.8 mV/decade activity) and detection limit 4.0 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹. The screen-printed electrodes show fast response time of about 2.2 s and exhibit adequate shelf-life (4 months). The fabricated electrodes can be also successfully used in the potentiometric titration of HPO₄²⁻ with Ba²⁺.     

Zirconium(IV)-porphyrins as novel ionophores for fluoride-selective polymeric membrane electrodes

The feasibility of using Zr(IV)-porphyrins as novel ionophores for preparing anion-selective polymeric membrane electrodes is examined. Electrodes constructed using o-nitrophenyl octyl ether plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) membranes containing Zr(IV)-octaethylporphyrin (OEP) dichloride (Zr(IV)[OEP]Cl₂) or Zr(IV)-tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP) dichloride (Zr(IV)[TPP]Cl₂) were found to exhibit enhanced potentiometric selectivity toward fluoride compared to electrodes based on a typical anion-exchanger (e.g. tridodecylmethylammonium chloride). At pH 5.5, the electrodes displayed the following selectivity sequences: ClO₄⁻ > SCN⁻ > I⁻ > F⁻ > NO₃⁻ > Br⁻ > NO₂⁻ > Cl⁻ and F⁻ > ClO₄⁻ > SCN⁻ > I⁻ > NO₂⁻ > NO₃⁻ > Br⁻ > Cl⁻ for membranes doped with Zr(IV)[OEP]Cl₂) and Zr(IV)[TPP]Cl₂, respectively. Both ionophores are shown to operate via a charged carrier mechanism, with 10 mol% of lipophilic tetraphenylborate derivative in the membrane phase required to achieve optimal selectivity. Electrodes prepared with both metalloporphyrin species display super-Nernstian response toward fluoride with slopes typically greater than −100 mV per decade. It is shown, via UV-VIS spectroscopy of the membrane phase, that this behavior occurs due to spontaneous formation of hydroxide ion bridged porphyrin dimers in the membrane in the presence of the lipophilic anionic additive. The dimers are easily converted to monomeric species upon increasing the concentration of fluoride in the sample solution. Decreasing the pH of sample buffer background solution (from pH 5.5 to pH 3) decreases the lower detection limit (DL) of the electrode response toward fluoride (by two-order of magnitude) and improves the electrodes’ selectivity.     

Homooxacalix[3]arene Derivatives as Ionophores for Serotonin‐Selective Membrane Electrodes

Homooxacalix[3]arene derivatives are effective ionophores for constructing serotonin‐selective membrane electrodes. An electrode based on one of the derivatives, tris(methoxyphenylpropyloxy)hexahomooxacalix[3]arene‐triethyl ether, with potassium tetrakis(p‐chlorophenyl)borate (20 mol% relative to the ionophore) as an ionic additive and bis(2‐ethylhexyl) sebacate as a solvent mediator in a poly(vinyl chloride) membrane matrix, displayed much better selectivity for serotonin than for various organic ammonium ions and inorganic cations. The electrode exhibited a near‐Nernstian response to serotonin in the concentration range of 2×10^?4 to 1×10^?2 M with a slope of 56.4 mV per concentration decade in physiological saline containing 150 mM NaCl and 10 mM Na₂HPO₄/NaH₂PO₄ (pH 7.4). The limit of the detection was 8×10^?5 M. The selectivity pattern of this electrode was quite different from that of an electrode using calix[6]arene‐hexaacetic acid hexaethyl ester, a well‐known ionophore for primary organic ammonium ions, which did not induce an enhanced response to serotonin. The developed electrode was used for the active loading of serotonin in liposomes induced by transmembrane pH gradients.     

Novel Potentiometric PVC‐Membrane and Coated Graphite Sensors for Lanthanum(III)

Preliminary theoretical studies revealed the selective complexation of bis (2‐mercaptoanil) diacetyl (BMDA) with La³⁺ over several alkali, alkaline earth and heavy metal ions. Thus, novel PVC‐based membrane (PBM) and coated graphite membrane (CGM) sensors for La(III) based on BMDA were prepared. The electrodes display Nernstian behavior over wide concentration ranges (i.e., 1.0×10^?5–1.0×10^?1 M for PBM and 1.0×10^?6–1.0×10^?1 M for CGM). The potential response of sensors was pH independent in the range of 4.0–8.0. The sensors possess satisfactory reproducibility, fast response time (<15 s), and specially excellent discriminating ability for La³⁺ ions with respect to most of the cations. The membrane sensor was used as an indicator electrode in potentiometric titration of lanthanum ions with EDTA. The coated graphite membrane electrode was applied in determination of fluoride ions in mouth wash preparations.