Construction of a new Cu2+ coated wire ion selective electrode based on 2-((2-(2-(2-(2-hydroxy-5-methoxybenzylidene amino)phenyl)disufanyl)phenylimino)methyl)-4-methoxyphenol Schiff base

In this article a new coated platinum Cu²⁺ ion selective electrode based on 2-((2-(2-(2-(2-hydroxy-5-methoxybenzylideneamino)phenyl)disufanyl)phenylimino) methyl)-4-methoxyphenol Schiff base (L₁) as a new ionophore is described. This sensor has a wide linear range of concentration (1.2 × 10⁻⁷-1.0 × 10⁻¹ mol L⁻¹) and a low detection limit of 9.8 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹of Cu(NO₃)₂. It has a Nernstian response with slope of 29.54 ± 1.62 mV decade⁻¹ and it is applicable in the pH range of 4.0-6.0 without any divergence in potentioal. The coated electrode has a short response time of approximately 9 s and is stable at least for 3.5 months. The electrode shows a good selectivity for Cu²⁺ ion toward a wide variety of metal ions. The proposed sensor was successfully applied for the determination of Cu²⁺ ion in different real and environmental samples and as indicator electrode for potentiometric titration of Cu²⁺ ion with EDTA.     

Determination of Hg on poly(vinylferrocenium) (PVF)-modified platinum electrode

A new surface based on poly(vinylferrocenium) (PVF⁺)-modified platinum electrode was developed for determination of Hg²⁺ ions in aqueous solutions. The polymer was electrodeposited on platinum electrode by constant potential electrolysis as PVF⁺ClO₄⁻. Cl⁻ ions were then attached to the polymer matrix by anion exchange and the modified electrode was dipped into Hg²⁺ solution. Hg²⁺ was preconcentrated at the polymer matrix by adsorption and also complexation reaction with Cl⁻. Detection of Hg²⁺ was carried out by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) after reduction of Hg²⁺. Mercury ions as low as 5 × 10⁻¹⁰ M could be detected with the prepared electrode and the relative standard deviation was calculated as 6.35% at 1 × 10⁻⁶ M concentration (n = 6). Interferences of Ag⁺, Pb²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions were also studied at two different concentration ratios with respect to Hg²⁺. The developed electrode was applied to the determination of Hg²⁺ in water samples.     

Multiplex sensor for detection of different metal ions based on on–off of fluorescent gold nanoclusters

In this study, a multiplex fluorescence sensor for successive detection of Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ ions based on “on–off” of fluorescence of a single type of gold nanoclusters (Au NCs) is described. Any of the Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ ions can cause quenching fluorescence of Au NCs, which established a sensitive sensor for detection of these ions respectively. With the introduction of ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) to the system of Au NCs and metal ions, a restoration of fluorescence may be found with the exception of Hg²⁺. A highly selective detection of Hg²⁺ ion is, thus, achieved by masking Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺. On the other hand, the masking of Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺ leads to the enhancement of fluorescence of Au NCs, which in turn provides an approach for successive determination of Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺ based on “on–off” of fluorescence of Au NCs. Moreover, this assay was applied to the successful detection of Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ in fish, a good linear relationship was found between these metal ions and the degree of quenched fluorescent intensity. The dynamic ranges of Hg²⁺, Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺ were 1.96 × 10⁻¹⁰–1.01 × 10⁻⁹, 1.28 × 10⁻⁷–1.27 × 10⁻⁶ and 1.2 × 10⁻⁷–1.2 × 10⁻⁶ M with high sensitivity (the limit of detection of Fe³⁺ 2.0 × 10⁻⁸ M, Cu²⁺ 1.9 × 10⁻⁸ M and Hg²⁺ 2 × 10⁻¹⁰ M). These results indicate that the assay is suitable for sensitive detection of these metal ions even under the coexistence, which can not only determine all three kinds of metal ions successively but also of detecting any or several kinds of metal ions.     

A novel colorimetric and fluorescent chemosensor: synthesis and selective detection for Cu and Hg

A novel two-channel metal ion sensor has been synthesized from macrocyclic dioxotetraamine and 1,8-naphthalimide derivative. The metal ion-selective signaling behaviors of the sensor were investigated. The sensor presented the selective coloration for Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ that can be detected by the naked-eye, respectively. Besides, the addition of Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ quenched the fluorescence of 1 obviously and the detection limit was found to be 3 × 10⁻⁷ M for Cu²⁺ and 7 × 10⁻⁷ M for Hg²⁺. This sensor can be utilized for the visual and spectroscopic detection of Cu²⁺ or Hg²⁺ in the presence of the other competing metal ions.     

Application of an Hg selective imprinted polymer as a new modifying agent for the preparation of a novel highly selective and sensitive electrochemical sensor for the determination of ultratrace mercury ions

A simple and very selective electrode, based on a mercury ion imprinted polymer (IIP), and its application for the determination of Hg²⁺ ions in the real samples is introduced. Mercury ion selective cavities were created in the vinyl pyridine based cross-linked polymer. In order to fabricate the sensor carbon particles and polymer powder were mixed with melted n-eicosane. An explicit difference was observed between the responses of the electrodes modified with IIP and non imprinted polymer (NIP), indicating proper performance of the recognition sites of the IIP. Various factors, known to affect the response behavior of selective electrode, were investigated and optimized. The interference of different ionic species with the response of the electrode was also studied. The results revealed that, compared to previously developed mercury selective sensors, the proposed sensor was more selective, regarding the common potential interferer. This sensor showed a linear response range of 2.5 × 10⁻⁹–5.0 × 10⁻⁷ M and lower detection limit of 5.2 × 10⁻¹⁰ M (S/N). The sensor was successfully applied to the determination of mercury in real samples.     

A novel amperometric sensor for the detection of difenidol hydrochloride based on the modification of Ru(bpy)3 on a glassy carbon electrode

An amperometric sensor for the detection of difenidol, a tertiary amine-containing analyte, was proposed. Ruthenium(II) tris(bipyridine)/multi-walled carbon nanotubes/Nafion composite film was suggested to modify the glassy carbon electrode. The modified electrode was shown to be an excellent amperometric sensor for the detection of difenidol hydrochloride. The linear range is from 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 3.3 × 10⁻⁵ M with a correlation coefficient of 0.998. The limit of detection was 5 × 10⁻⁷ M, which was obtained through experimental determination based on a signal-to-noise ratio of three. The sensor was employed to the determination of the active ingredients in the tablets containing difenidol hydrochloride.     

Zeolite A functionalized with copper nanoparticles and graphene oxide for simultaneous electrochemical determination of dopamine and ascorbic acid

A novel Cu-zeolite A/graphene modified glassy carbon electrode for the simultaneous electrochemical determination of dopamine (DA) and ascorbic acid (AA) has been described. The Cu-zeolite A/graphene composites were prepared using Cu²⁺ functionalized zeolite A and graphene oxide as the precursor, and subsequently reduced by chemical agents. The composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectra and scanning electron microscopy. Based on the Cu-zeolite A/graphene-modified electrode, the potential difference between the oxidation peaks of DA and AA was over 200 mV, which was adequate for the simultaneous electrochemical determination of DA and AA. Also the proposed Cu-zeolite/graphene-modified electrode showed higher electrocatalytic performance than zeolite/graphene electrode or graphene-modified electrode. The electrocatalytic oxidation currents of DA and AA were linearly related to the corresponding concentration in the range of 1.0 × 10⁻⁷–1.9 × 10⁻⁵ M for DA and 2.0 × 10⁻⁵–2.0 × 10⁻⁴ M for AA. Detection limits (<!-- no-mfc -->S/N<!-- /no-mfc --> = 3) were estimated to be 4.1 × 10⁻⁸ M for DA and 1.1 × 10⁻⁵ M for AA, respectively.     

A new rhodamine-based dual chemosensor for Al and Cu

A new rhodamine B derivative bearing a hydrazone group has been designed and prepared. The synthesized colorimetric and fluorescent molecular chemosensor can be used as a dual probe, selectively detecting Al³⁺ and Cu²⁺ in acetonitrile solution by monitoring changes in the absorption and fluorescence spectral patterns. The results show that Al³⁺ ions can induce a greater fluorescence enhancement, while the addition of Cu²⁺ ions induces a strong UV–vis absorption enhancement with weak fluorescence. The limits of detection of Cu²⁺ and Al³⁺ were estimated to be 2.9 × 10⁻⁷ M and 8.3 × 10⁻⁹ M, respectively.     

A novel polymeric membrane electrode for the potentiometric analysis of Cu in drinking water

Based on a novel ionophore, an ion-selective electrode has been developed for the determination of Cu²⁺ in drinking water. Its selectivity behavior is characterized and its lower detection limit optimized for measurements with different electrolyte backgrounds. The lower detection limit was 2 × 10⁻⁹ M Cu²⁺ for samples with low ionic background and 1 × 10⁻⁷ M Cu²⁺ with ionic background typically found in drinking water.     

Probing trace Pb(2+) using electrodeposited N,N'-(o-phenylene)-bis-benzenesulfonamide polymer as a novel selective ion capturing film

A novel film modified electrode for the determination of trace lead was developed in this work. The modified electrode was prepared by the electropolymerization of N,N′-(o-phenylene)-bis-benzenesulfonamide (PBSA) as the ion capturing reagent to create the functional film. The modified electrode shows a high selectivity towards Pb²⁺ over interfering cations, e.g. Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cr²⁺, and the calibration curve was linear in the concentration range of 2.0 × 10⁻⁹ to 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ M with correlation coefficient of 0.999. For 20 min accumulation, detection limit of 1.0 × 10⁻⁹ M was obtained at the signal to noise ratio of 3. Analytical availability of the modified electrode was demonstrated by the application for samples from pond water.     

Copper(II)-selective electrode based on dithioacetal

A PVC membrane electrode for copper ion based on 1,3-dithiane,2-(4-methoxy phenyl) as ionophore and o-nitrophenyl octyl ether as a plasticizer is demonstrated. The electrode exhibits a Nernstian slope of 29.5±1 mV per decade in a linear range of 3.0×10⁻⁶ to 5.0×10⁻² M for Cu²⁺ ion. The detection limit of this electrode is 1.0×10⁻⁶ mol/l. This sensor has a very short response time of about 5 s and could be used in a pH range of 4.0-7.0. High selectivity was obtained over a wide variety of metal ions. The proposed electrode was successfully applied as an indicator electrode for the potentiometric titration of copper ion with EDTA and for the direct determination of copper in river water.     

Heavy metal adsorptivity of calcium-alginate-modified diethylenetriamine-silica gel and its application to a flow analytical system using flame atomic absorption spectrometry

This study aimed to evaluate the heavy metal adsorptivity of calcium-alginate-modified diethylenetriamine-silica gel (CaAD) and incorporate this biosorbent into a flow analytical system for heavy metal ions using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The biosorbent was synthesized by electrostatically coating calcium alginate onto diethylenetriamine (dien)-silica gel. Copper ion adsorption tests by a batch method showed that CaAD exhibited a higher adsorption rate compared with other biosorbents despite its low maximum adsorption capacity. Next, CaAD was packed into a 1 mL microcolumn, which was connected to a flow analytical system equipped with an FAAS instrument. The flow system quantitatively adsorbed heavy metals and enriched their concentrations. This quantitative adsorption was achieved for pH 3–4 solutions containing 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ M of heavy metal ions at a flow rate of 5.0 mL min⁻¹. Furthermore, the metal ions were successfully desorbed from CaAD at low nitric acid concentrations (0.05–0.15 M) than from the polyaminecarboxylic acid chelating resin (Chelex 100). Therefore, CaAD may be considered as a biosorbent that quickly adsorbs and easily desorbs analyte metal ions. In addition, the flow system enhanced the concentrations of heavy metals such as Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Pb²⁺ by 50-fold. This new enrichment system successfully performed the separation and determination of Cu²⁺ (5.0 × 10⁻⁸ M) and Zn²⁺ (5.7 × 10⁻⁸ M) in a river water sample and Pb²⁺ (3.8 × 10⁻⁹ M) in a ground water sample.     

Fabrication and application of a new modified electrochemical sensor using nano-silica and a newly synthesized Schiff base for simultaneous determination of Cd,Cu and Hg ions in water and some foodstuff samples

A new chemically modified carbon paste electrode was constructed and used for rapid, simple, accurate, selective and highly sensitive simultaneous determination of cadmium, copper and mercury using square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV). The carbon paste electrode was modified by N,N′-bis(3-(2-thenylidenimino)propyl)piperazine coated silica nanoparticles. Compared with carbon paste electrode, the stripping peak currents had a significant increase at the modified electrode. Under the optimized conditions (deposition potential, −1.100 V vs. Ag/AgCl; deposition time, 60 s; resting time, 10 s; SW frequency, 25 Hz; pulse amplitude, 0.15 V; dc voltage step height, 4.4 mV), the detection limit was 0.3, 0.1 and 0.05 ng mL⁻¹ for the determination of Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺, respectively. The complexation reaction of the ligand with several metal cations in methanol was studied and the stability constants of the complexes were obtained. The effects of different cations and anions on the simultaneous determination of metal ions were studied and it was found that the electrode is highly selective for the simultaneous determination of Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺. Furthermore, the present method was applied to the determination of Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ in water and some foodstuff samples.     

Complexation of metal ions with the novel azathia crown ethers carrying anthracene pendant in acetonitrile–dichloromethane

A series of crown ethers carrying an anthracene group with nitrogen–sulfur donor atom, which differ in having three, four and five sulfur atoms in the macrocycle was designed and synthesized by the reaction of the corresponding macrocyclic compound and 9-chloromethyl-anthracene. The influence of metal cations such as Al³⁺, Zn²⁺, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Mn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺ and Pb²⁺ on the spectroscopic properties of the ligands was investigated in acetonitrile–dichloromethane (1:1) by means of absorption and emission spectrometry. Absorption spectra show isosbestic points in the spectrophotometric titration of Al³⁺, Zn²⁺, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺, Hg²⁺ and Pb²⁺ the results of which disclosed the complexation compositions and complex stability constants of the novel ligands with these cations. The monoazapentathia crown ether showed sensitivity for Al³⁺ with linear range and detection limit of 2.6 × 10⁻⁶ M–2.6 × 10⁻⁵ M and 8.1 × 10⁻⁷ M, respectively.     

Comparative studies of mercapto thiadiazoles self-assembled on gold nanoparticle as ionophores for Cu(II) carbon paste sensors

Comparative studies of the potentiometric behavior of three mercapto compounds [2-((5-mercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-ylimino)methyl)phenol] (MTMP), [5-(2-methoxy benzylidene amino)-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-thiol] (MBYT) and [5-(pyridin-2-ylmethyleneamino)-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-thiol] (PYTT) self-assembled on gold nanoparticles (GNPs) as ionophores in carbon paste electrodes (CPEs) have been made. These mercapto thiadiazole compounds were self-assembled onto gold nanoparticles and then incorporated within carbon paste electrode. The self-assembled ionophores exhibit a high selectivity for copper ion (Cu²⁺), in which the sulfur and nitrogen atoms in their structure play a role as the effective coordination donor site for the copper ion. These carbon paste electrodes were applied as indicator electrodes for potentiometric determination of copper ions. The sensor based on PYTT exhibits the working concentration range of 4.0 × 10⁻⁹ to 7.0 × 10⁻² M and a Nernstian slope of 28.7 ± 0.3 mV decade⁻¹ of copper activity. The detection limit of electrode was 1.0 × 10⁻⁹ M and potential response was pH independent across the range of 3.0-6.5. It exhibited a quick response time of <5 s and could be used for a period of 45 days. The ion selectivity of this electrode for Cu²⁺ was over 10⁴ times that for other metal cations. The application of prepared sensors has been demonstrated for the determination of copper ions in spiked water and natural water samples.     

Electrochemiluminescence from tris(2,2′-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II)-graphene-Nafion modified electrode

An electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensor based on Ru(bpy)₃²⁺-graphene-Nafion composite film was developed. The graphene sheet was produced by chemical conversion of graphite, and was characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Raman spectroscopy. The introduction of conductive graphene into Nafion not only greatly facilitates the electron transfer of Ru(bpy)₃²⁺, but also dramatically improves the long-term stability of the sensor by inhibiting the migration of Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ into the electrochemically inactive hydrophobic region of Nafion. The ECL sensor gives a good linear range over 1 × 10⁻⁷ to 1 × 10⁻⁴ M with a detection limit of 50 nM towards the determination of tripropylamine (TPA), comparable to that obtained by Nafion-CNT. The ECL sensor keeps over 80% and 85% activity towards 0.1 mM TPA after being stored in air and in 0.1 M pH 7.5 phosphate buffer solution (PBS) for a month, respectively. The long-term stability of the modified electrode is better than electrodes modified with Nafion, Nafion-silica, Nafion-titania, or sol-gel films containing Ru(bpy)₃²⁺. Furthermore, the ECL sensor was successfully applied to the selective and sensitive determination of oxalate in urine samples.     

Highly selective and sensitive monohydrogen phosphate membrane sensor based on molybdenum acetylacetonate

In this work, a highly selective and sensitive monohydrogen phosphate membrane sensor based on a molybdenum bis(2-hydroxyanil) acetylacetonate complex (MAA) is reported. The sensor shows a linear dynamic range between 1.0 × 10⁻¹ and 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ M, with a nice Nernstian behavior (−29.5 ± 0.3 mV decade⁻¹) in pH of 8.2. The detection limit of the electrode is 6.0 × 10⁻⁸ M (∼6 ppb). The best performance was obtained with a membrane composition of 32% poly(vinyl chloride), 58% benzyl acetate, 2% hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide and 8% MAA. The sensor possesses the advantages of short response time, low detection limit and especially, very good selectivity towards a large number of organic and inorganic anions including salicylate, citrate, tartarate, acetate, oxalate, fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide, sulfite, sulfate, nitrate, nitrite, cyanide, thiocyanate, perchlorate, metavanadate, and bicarbonate ions. The electrode can be used for at least 10 weeks without any considerable divergence in its slope and detection limit. It was used as an indicator electrode in potentiometric titration of monohydrogenphosphate ion with barium chloride. The proposed sensor was successfully applied to direct determination of monohydrogenphosphate in two fertilizer samples (NPK).     

Ultrasensitive Cu sensing by near-infrared-emitting CdSeTe alloyed quantum dots

The near-infrared (NIR)-emitting CdSeTe alloyed quantum dots (AQdots) that capped with l-cysteine were applied for ultrasensitive Cu²⁺ sensing. The sensing approach was based on the fluorescence of the AQdots selectively quenched in the presence of Cu²⁺. Experimental results showed a low interference response towards other metal ions. The possible quenching mechanism was discussed on the basis of the binding between l-cysteine and the metal ions. In addition, biomolecules have low effect on the fluorescence due to the minimized interferences in NIR region. The response of the NIR optical sensor was linearly proportional to the concentration of Cu²⁺ ranging from 2 × 10⁻⁸ to 2 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹. Furthermore, it has been successfully applied to the detection of Cu²⁺ in vegetable samples.     

Fluorescence enhancement of CdTe/CdS quantum dots by coupling of glyphosate and its application for sensitive detection of copper ion

A novel fluorescent probe for Cu²⁺ determination based on the fluorescence quenching of glyphosate (Glyp)-functionalized quantum dots (QDs) was firstly reported. Glyp had been used to modify the surface of QDs to form Glyp-functionalized QDs following the capping of thioglycolic acid on the core–shell CdTe/CdS QDs. Under the optimal conditions, the response was linearly proportional to the concentration of Cu²⁺ between 2.4 × 10⁻² μg mL⁻¹ and 28 μg mL⁻¹, with a detection limit of 1.3 × 10⁻³ μg mL⁻¹ (3δ). The Glyp-functionalized QDs fluorescent probe offers good sensitivity and selectivity for detecting Cu²⁺. The fluorescent probe was successfully used for the determination of Cu²⁺ in environmental samples. The mechanism of reaction was also discussed.     

A novel high selective and sensitive metronidazole voltammetric sensor based on a molecularly imprinted polymer-carbon paste electrode

The design and construction of a highly selective voltammetric sensor for metronidazole by using a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) as recognition element were introduced. A metronidazole selective MIP and a nonimprinted polymer (NIP) were synthesized and then incorporated in the carbon paste electrodes (CPEs). The sensor was applied for metronidazole determination using cathodic stripping voltammetric method. The MIP-CP electrode showed very high recognition ability in comparison to NIP-CPE. Some parameters affecting the sensor response were optimized and then the calibration curve was plotted. Two dynamic linear ranges of 5.64 × 10⁻⁵ to 2.63 × 10⁻³ mg L⁻¹ and 2.63 × 10⁻³ to 7.69 × 10⁻² mg L⁻¹ were obtained. The detection limit of the sensor was calculated as 3.59 × 10⁻⁵ mg L⁻¹. This sensor was used successfully for metronidazole determination in biological fluids.