Construction and Performance Characterization of Ion‐Selective Electrodes for Potentiometric Determination of Paroxetine Hydrochloride in Pharmaceutical Preparations and Biological Fluids

Three types of ion‐selective electrodes: PVC membrane, modified carbon paste (CPE), and coated graphite electrodes (CGE) have been constructed for determining paroxetine hydrochloride (Prx). The electrodes are based on the ion pair of paroxetine with sodium tetraphenylborate (NaTPB) using dibutyl phthalate as plasticizing solvent. Fast, stable and potentiometric response was obtained over the concentration range of 1.1×10^?5–1×10^?2 mol L^?1 with low detection limit of 6.9×10^?6 mol L^?1 and slope of a 56.7±0.3mV decade^?1 for PVC membrane electrode, the concentration range of 2×10^?5–1×10^?2 mol L^?1 with low detection limit of 1.2×10^?5 mol L^?1 and slope of a 57.7±0.6 mV decade^?1 for CPE, and the concentration range of 2×10^?5–1×10^?2 mol L^?1 with low detection limit of 8.9×10^?6 mol L^?1 and slope of a 56.1±0.1 mV decade^?1 for CGE. The proposed electrodes display good selectivity for paroxetine with respect to a number of common inorganic and organic species. The electrodes were successfully applied to the potentiometric determination of paroxetine hydrochloride in its pure state, its pharmaceutical preparation, human urine and plasma.     

Man‐Tailored Biomimetic Sensor of Molecularly Imprinted Materials for the Potentiometric Measurement of Rivastigmine in Tablets and Biological Fluids and Employing the Taguchi Optimization Methodology to Optimize the MIP‐Based Membranes

This work proposes a novel biomimetic sensor for the potentiometric transduction of rivastigmine based on molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP). Using the Taguchi method, this study analyzed the optimum conditions for preparing the MIP‐based membranes. The rank order of each controllable factor was also determined. MIP‐based membranes exhibited a Nernstian response (30.7±1.1 mV decade^?1) in a concentration range from 1.0×10^?5 to 1.0×10^?2 mol L^?1 with a LOD of 6.3×10^?6 mol L^?1. The sensor was successfully applied to the determination of rivastigmine concentrations in human serum, plasma, urine, rat brain and tablets.     

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%.     

Self‐Assembled Mercapto‐Compound‐Gold‐Nanoparticle‐Modified Carbon Paste Electrode for Potentiometric Determination of Cadmium(II)

A new modified carbon paste electrode (CPE) based on a recently synthesized ligand [2‐mercapto‐5‐(3‐nitrophenyl)‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole] (MNT), self‐assembled to gold nanoparticles (GNP) as suitable carrier for Cd(II) ion with potentiometric method are described. The proposed electrode exhibits a Nernstian slope of 29.4±1.0 mV per decade for Cd(II) ion over a wide concentration range from 3.1×10^?8 to 3.1×10^?4 mol L^?1. The detection limit of electrode was 2.0×10^?8 mol L^?1 of cadmium ion. The potentiometric responses of electrode based on MNT is independent of the pH of test solution in the pH range 2.0–4.0. It has quick response with response time of about 6 s. The proposed electrode show fairly good selectivity over some alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions. Finally, the proposed electrode was successfully employed to detect Cd(II) ion in hair and water samples.     

Flow‐Through Assay of Quinine Using Solid Contact Potentiometric Sensors Based on Molecularly Imprinted Polymers

Miniaturized potentiometric membrane sensors for quinine incorporated with molecular imprinted polymer (MIP) were synthesized and implemented. Planar PVC based polymeric membrane sensors containing quinine‐methacrylic and/or acrylic acid‐ethylene glycol methacrylate were dispensed into anisotropically etched wells on polyimide wafers. The determination of quinine was carried out in acidic solution at pH 6, where positively charged species predominated prevalently. The suggested miniaturized planner sensors exhibited marked selectivity, sensitivity, long‐term stability and reproducibility. At their optimum conditions, the sensors displayed wide concentration ranges of 4.0×10^?6–1.0×10^?2mol L^?1 and 1.0×10^?5–1.0×10^?2 mol L^?1 with slopes of about 61.3–55.7 mV decade^?1; respectively. Sensors exhibit detection limits of 1.2×10^?6 and 8.2×10^?6 mol L^?1 upon the use of methacrylic and acrylic acid monomers in the imprinted polymer, respectively. Validation of the assay method according to the quality assurance standards (range, within‐day repeatability, between‐day variability, standard deviation, accuracy, and good performance characteristics) which could assure good reliable novel sensors for quinine estimation was justified. Application of the proposed flow‐through assay method for routine determination of quinine in soft drinks was assayed and the results compared favorably with data obtained by the standard fluorimetric method.     

Characteristics of Lariat Crown Ether‐Copper (II) Ion‐Selective Electrodes

An ion‐selective electrode using ionophore 2′‐picolyl sym‐dibenzo‐16‐crown‐5 ether as membrane carrier, sodium tetraphenylborate (NaTPB) as an anion excluder, and 2‐nitrophenyl‐octyl ether (NOPE) as the plasticing solvent mediator has been successfully developed. This electrode exhibits al in ear response with a slope of 42 mV/decade in concentration ranging from 10^?5 molL^?1 to 10^?1 molL^?1, slightly larger than the 30 mV expected from the one‐to‐one complex. The reason for the super‐Nernstain slope is the partial dimmer formation in side the membrane of the electrode, because this dimmer [Cu(C₂₅H₂₇NO₆)₂(H₂O)₂] 2ClO₄, has been isolated and confirmed by single crystal X‐ray crystallography. The detection limit for the cop per (II) ion was estimated to be 1 × 10^?6 molL^?1. Electrades composed of other plasticing solvent mediators such as tris(2‐ethylhexyl) phosphate (TOP), bis (2‐ethylhexyl) sebacate (DOS) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) were also investigated. Stability constants (logKs) of the two to one and the one to one 2‐picolylsym‐dibenzo‐16‐crown‐5 ether‐Cu (II) complexes have been determined by potentiometric titration in methanol.     

Novel Polymeric Membrane Sensors Based on Mn(III) Porphyrin and Co(II) Phthalocyanine Ionophores for Batch and Flow Injection Determination of Azide

Two novel potentiometric azide membrane sensors based on the use of manganese(III)porphyrin [Mn(III)P] and cobalt(II)phthalocyanine [Co(II)Pc] ionophores dispersed in plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) PVC matrix membranes are described. Under batch mode of operation, [Mn(III)P] and [Co(II)Pc] based membrane sensors display near‐ and sub‐Nernstian responses of ?56.3 and ?48.5 mV decade^?1 over the concentration ranges 1.0×10^?2?2.2×10^?5 and 1.0×10^?2?5.1×10^?5 mol L^?1 azide and detection limits of 1.5×10^?5 and 2.5×10^?5 mol L^?1, respectively. Incorporation of both membrane sensors in flow‐through tubular cell offers sensitive detectors for flow injection (FIA) determination of azide. The intrinsic characteristics of the [Mn(III)P] and [Co(II)Pc] based detectors in a low dispersion manifold show calibration slopes of ?51.2 and ?33.5 mV decade^?1 for the concentration ranges of 1.0×10^?5?1.0×10^?2 and 1.0×10^?4?1.0×10^?2 mol L^?1 azide and the detection limits are1.0×10^?5 and 3.1×10^?5 mol L^?1, respectively. The detectors are used for determining azide at an input rate of 40–60 samples per hour. The responses of the sensors are stable within ±0.9 mV for at least 8 weeks and are pH independent in the range of 3.9?6.5. No interferences are caused by most common anions normally associated with azide ion.     

Study of a Novel Bisnaphthalimidopropyl Polyamine as Electroactive Material for Perchlorate‐selective Potentiometric Sensors

In this work, the new polyamine bisnaphthalimidopropyl‐4,4’‐diaminodiphenylmethane is proposed as a new ionophore for perchlorate potentiometric sensors. The optimal formulation for the membrane comprised of 12 mmol kg^?1 of the ionophore, and 68 % (w/w) of 2‐nitrophenyl phenyl ether as plasticizer and 31 % (w/w) of high molecular weight PVC. The sensors were soaked in water for a week to allow leakage of anionic impurities and for one day in a perchlorate solution (10^?4 mol L^?1) to improve reproducibility due to its first usage. The stability constant for the ionophore‐perchlorate association in the membrane, log β_IL1=3.18±0.04, ensured a performance characterized by the slope of 54.1 (±0.7) mV dec^?1 to perchlorate solutions with concentrations between 1.24×10^?7 and 1.00×10^?3 mol L^?1. The sensors are insensitive to pH between 3.5 to 11.0, they have a practical detection limit of 7.66 (±0.42) ×10^?8 mol L^?1 and a response time below 60 s for solutions with perchlorate concentrations above 5×10^?6 mol L^?1. The accuracy of the results was confirmed by the analysis of the contaminant in a certified reference water sample.     

A Highly Selective and Sensitive Barium(II)‐Selective PVC Membrane Based on Dimethyl 1‐Acetyl‐8‐oxo‐2,8‐dihydro‐ 1H‐pyra‐zolo[5,1‐a]isoindole‐2,3‐dicarboxylate

A poly(vinyl chloride)‐based membrane of dimethyl 1‐acetyl‐8‐oxo‐2,8‐dihydro‐1H‐pyra‐zolo[5,1‐a]isoindole‐2,3‐dicarboxylate as a neutral carrier with sodium tetraphenylborate (NaTPB) as an anion excluder and 2‐nitrophenyl octyl ether (NPOE) as plasticizer was prepared and investigated as a Ba(II)‐selective electrode. The electrode exhibits a Nernstian slope of 29.7±0.4 mV per decade over a wide concentration range (1.0×10^?6 to 1.0×10^?1 M) with a detection limit of 7.6×10^?7 M between pH 3.0 and 11.0. The response time of the sensor is about 10 s and it can be used over a period of 2 months without any divergence in potential. The proposed membrane sensor revealed good selectivity for Ba(II) over a wide variety of other metal ions. It was successfully used in direct determination of barium ions in industrial wastewater samples.     

Voltammetric Ion‐Selective Nanocomposite Carbon Paste Electrode for Determination of Erbium at the Interface Between two Immiscible Electrolyte Solutions

In this study for the first time a novel erbium(III) voltammetric ion‐selective nanocomposite carbon‐paste electrode was introduced based on the concept of ion transfer at the interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions. N′‐(2‐hydroxy‐1,2‐diphenylethylidene) benzohydrazide (HDB) was used as a selective ionophore in the composition of the carbon paste. The ionophore facilitates transfer of Er(III) from the aqueous solution to the room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) phase after reduction of the redox probe to maintain charge neutrality. The plot of the peak potential versus the logarithm of the concentration exhibits a Nernstian response (19.9±0.2 mV decade^?1) toward Er(III) in the range of 7.5×10^?7–1.0×10^?1 mol L^?1 with detection limit of 5.0×10^?7 mol L^?1. The proposed sensor shows a fast response time of about 5 s.     

Novel Biomedical Sensors for Flow Injection Potentiometric Determination of Creatinine in Human Serum

Coated‐wire (CW) and tubular (Tu) type membrane sensors for creatinine are developed. These consist of creatinine tungstophosphate(CTP), creatinine molybdophosphate (CMP) and creatinine picrolonate (CPC) ion‐pair complexes as electroactive materials dispersed in plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) matrix membranes. Electrochemical evaluation of these sensors under static (batch) mode of operation reveals near‐Nernstian response with slopes of 62.9, 58.1, and 55.2 mV decade^?1 over the concentration range 1×10^?2–5.0×10^?6, 1×10^?2–7.5×10^?5, and 1×10^?2?3.1×10^?5 mol L^?1. The lower detection limits are 0.39, 3.49, and 2.20 μg mL^?1 creatinine with CTP, CMP and CPC membrane based sensors plasticized with o‐NPOE, respectively. Tubular and coated wire CTP membrane sensors are incorporated in flow‐through cells and used as detectors for flow injection analysis (FIA) of creatinine. The intrinsic characteristics of the detectors under hydrodynamic mode of operation in a low dispersion manifold are determined and compared with data obtained under static mode of operation. With 10^?2 mol L^?1 phosphate buffer of pH 4.5 as a carrier solution, the tubular and coated wire CTP detectors exhibit rapid response of 58.9 and 50.7 mV decade^?1 over the concentration range 1×10^?2–1×10^?5 mol L^?1 and detection limits of 0.39 μg mL^?1 and 0.85 μg mL^?1, respectively. Validation of the assay methods with the proposed sensors by measuring the lower detection limit, range, accuracy, precision, repeatability and between‐day‐variability reveals good performance characteristics confirming applicability for continuous determination of creatinine. The sensors are used for determining creatinine in human blood serum at an input rate of 40 samples per hour. No interferences are caused by creatine, most common anions, cations and organic species normally present in biological fluids. The results favorably compare with data obtained using the standard spectrophotometric method.     

Voltammetric Determination of 3‐Nitrofluoranthene and 3‐Aminofluoranthene at Boron Doped Diamond Thin‐Film Electrode

The voltammetric behavior of 3‐nitrofluoranthene and 3‐aminofluoranthene was investigated in mixed methanol‐water solutions by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) at boron doped diamond thin‐film electrode (BDDE). Optimum conditions have been found for determination of 3‐nitrofluoranthene in the concentration range of 2×10^?8–1×10^?6 mol L^?1, and for determination 3‐aminofluorathnene in the concentration range of 2×10^?7–1×10^?5 mol L^?1, respectively. Limits of determination were 3×10^?8 mol L^?1 (3‐nitrofluoranthene) and 2×10^?7 mol L^?1 (3‐aminofluoranthene).     

Electrochemical Properties of the Oxo‐Manganese‐Phenanthroline Complex Immobilized on Ion‐Exchange Polymeric Film and Its Application as Biomimetic Sensor for Sulfite Ions

A biomimetic sensor containing the oxo‐bridged dinuclear manganese‐phenanthroline complex incorporated into a cation‐exchange polymeric film deposited onto glassy carbon electrode for detection of sulfite was studied. Cyclic voltammetry at the modified electrode in universal buffer showed a two electron oxidation/reduction of the couple Mn^IV(μ‐O)₂Mn^IV/Mn^III(μ‐O)₂Mn^III. The sensor exhibited electrocatalytic property toward sulfite oxidation with a decrease of the overpotential of 450 mV compared with the glassy carbon electrode. A plot of the anodic current versus the sulfite concentration for potential fixed (+0.15 V vs. SCE) at the sensor was linear in the 4.99×10^?7 to 2.49×10^?6 mol L^?1 concentration range and the concentration limit was 1.33×10^?7 mol L^?1. The mediated mechanism was derived by Michaelis? Menten kinetics. The calculated kinetics values were Michaelis? Menten rate constant= =1.33 µmol L^?1, catalytic rate constant=6.06×10^?3 s^?1 and heterogeneous electro‐chemical rate constant=3.61×10^?5 cm s^?1.     

Flow‐Through Potentiometric Sensors for Alizarin Red S Dye and Their Application for Aluminum Determination

Novel selective and sensitive poly (vinyl chloride) membrane sensors are developed for measuring alizarin red S (AR) based on the use of aliquate 336, Mg^IIphthalocyanine (MgPc), Cu^IIphthalocyanine (CuPc) and Fe^II phthalocyanine (FePc) plasticized poly (vinyl chloride) membrane. The sensors display Nernestian response with slopes of ‐50.6 ± 0.6 , ‐37.4 ± 0.5 , ‐37.7 ± 0.8 and ‐35.0 ± 0.7 mV decade^?1 over the range of 5.2 × 10^?6 to 1 × 10^?2 mol L^?1 for all of them and detection limits of 5.9 × 10^?7, 1.9 × 10‐^?6 2.3 × 10^?6 and 1.9 × 10^?6 mol L^?1 for aliquate, MgPc, CuPc and FePc membrane based sensor, respectively. The sensors exhibit long life span, long term potential stability, high reproducibility, fast response and good discrimination ability towards alizarinate ion in comparison with many other anions. A tubular detector based on aliquate, MgPc, CuPc and FePc was further developed and coupled to a flow‐injection system for alizarin (AR) determination. Under optimized conditions, the linearity range is 1.0 × 10^?5‐ 1.0 × 10^?1 mol L^?1, with a slope of ‐52.1 ± 0.8, 20.9 ± 0.7, 23.6 ± 0.4 and 25 ± 1.1 mV decade^?1 and a reproducibility of ± 0.8 mV (n = 6) for aliquate, MgPc, CuPc and FePc membrane based sensors, respectively. The sensor based on aliquate is further utilized for a potentiodynamic quantification of aluminum in sludge samples and deodorants. The buffered solution of alizarin was allowed to react in a flow system with aluminum. The calibration curve of Al was found to be linear over a concentration range of 0.1 to 1.8 and 1.0 ‐ 40 μg mL^?1 with a slope = 16.9 (r² = 0.993) and 1.76 (r² = 0.994) mV (μg/mL)^?1 and a detection limit of 0.08 and 0.5 μg mL^?1 for 10^?4 and 10^?3 mol L^?1 AR^? as a carrier, respectively. The method was successfully used for determining aluminum in sludge samples and deodorants. The data agree fairly well the nominal values and with results obtain by continuous flow hydride generation inductively coupled plasma (ICP) method.     

Multi‐responses Methodology Applied in the Electroanalytical Determination of Hair Dye by Using Printed Carbon Electrode Modified with Graphene

This paper describes a rapid and sensitive method for determination of the hair dye Basic Blue 41 in wastewater samples using screen‐printed carbon electrodes modified with graphene (SPCE/Gr). The method is based on the reversible reduction of azo groups of the dye at potential of ?0.23 V/?0.26 V, where both the anodic and cathodic currents increased 1,300 % when compared to screen‐printed carbon (SPCE) and glassy carbon electrodes (GCE). The optimization of a square wave voltammetric method was performed by means of 2³ factorial design, Doehlert matrix and multi‐response assays, and the best parameters were: frequency (54.8 Hz), step potential (6 mV), pulse amplitude (43.7 mV) and pH 4.5. The analytical curve was constructed from 3.00×10^?8 to 2.01×10^?6 mol L^?1, with detection and quantification limits of 5.00×10^?9 and 1.70×10^?8 mol L^?1, respectively. The repeatability of the method evaluated for 10 consecutive measurements at concentrations of 1.70×10^?7 mol L^?1 and 1.70×10^?6 mol L^?1, showed relative standard deviation of 3.56 and 0.57 %, respectively. The sensor based in SPCE/Gr was successfully applied in wastewater samples collected from a drinking water treatment plant and validated by comparison with HPLC‐DAD method with good accuracy.     

Electrode Based on Nickel‐containing SBA‐15 for the Determination of Copper in Ethanol Biofuel

A sensor based in a graphite–polyurethane composite electrode modified with the mesoporous nanostructured silica with hexagonal array of pores called Santa Barbara Amorphous type material (SBA‐15) containing nickel was built. The presence of Ni, incorporated during the synthesis of SBA‐15, resulted in an increase in sensitivity when compared to the other electrodes based on the unmodified SBA‐15. A procedure was proposed for the determination of Cu²⁺ in ethanol biofuel by square wave stripping voltammetry with linear response in concentration levels of 1.0×10^?8 and 1.0×10^?7 mol L^?1, resulting in a limit of detection of 1.83×10^?10 mol L^?1 and precision (RSD) of 2.09 %.     

A Copper(II) Ion‐Selective Potentiometric Sensor Based on N,N′,N″,N′′′‐Tetrakis(2‐pyridylmethyl)‐1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane in PVC Matrix

The simple PVC‐based membrane containing N,N′,N″,N′′′‐tetrakis(2‐pyridylmethyl)‐1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane (tpmc) as an ionophore and dibutyl phthalate as a plasticizer, directly coated on a glassy carbon electrode was examined as a new sensor for Cu²⁺ ions. The potential response was linear within the concentration range of 1.0×10^?1–1.0×10^?6 M with a Nernstian slope of 28.8 mV/decade and detection limit of 7.0×10^?7 M. The electrode was used in aqueous solutions over a wide pH range (1.3–6). The sensor exhibited excellent selectivity for Cu²⁺ ion over a number of cations and was successfully used in its determination in real samples.     

Development of an electrochemical sensor based on Schiff base for Cu(II) determination at nano level in river water and edible materials

Plasticised membranes using 2-[{(2-hydroxyphenyl)imino}methyl]-phenol (L₁) and 2-[{(3-hydroxyphenyl)imino}methyl]-phenol (L₂), have been prepared and investigated as Cu²⁺ ion-selective sensors. Effect of various plasticisers, namely, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), dibutyl sebacate (DBS), benzyl acetate (BA), o-nitrophenyloctylether (o-NPOE) and anion excluders, oleic acid (OA) and sodium tetraphenylborate (NaTPB) was studied and improved performance was observed in several instances. Optimum performance was observed with membranes of (L₁) having composition L₁ : DBS : OA : PVC in the ratio of 6 : 54 : 10 : 30 (w/w, %). The sensor works satisfactorily in the concentration range 3.2 × 10^?8–1.0 × 10^?1 mol L^?1 with a Nernstian slope of 29.5 ± 0.5 mV decade^?1 of a _cu²⁺ . The detection limit of the proposed sensor is 2.0 × 10^?8 mol L^?1 (1.27 ng mL^?1). Wide pH range (3.0–8.5), fast response time (7 s), sufficient (up to 25% v/v) non-aqueous tolerance and adequate shelf life (3 months) indicate the utility of the proposed sensor. The potentiometric selectivity coefficients as determined by matched potential method indicate selective response for Cu²⁺ ions over various interfering ions, and therefore could be successfully used for the determination of copper in edible oils, tomato plant material and river water.     

Development of All‐solid‐state Antidiabetic Drug Metformin‐selective Microsensor and its Electrochemical Applications

In this study, all‐solid‐state type potentiometric PVC membrane selective microsensor was developed for Metformin (MET) which is an antidiabetic drug active substance. Metformin‐tetraphenylborate (MET‐TPB) ion‐pair was used as an ionophore in the structure of the sensor membrane. It was determined that the sensor membrane at the ratio of 69 % o‐nitrophenyl octyl ether, 27 % polyvinyl chloride and 4 % MET‐TPB performed the best potentiometric performance. In a wide concentration range (1×10^?5–1×10^?1 mol/L), the slope, detection limit, response time, pH range, and life‐time of the sensor were determined as 55.9±1.6 mV (R²=0.996), 3.35×10^?6 mol/L, 8–10 s, pH: 3–8, and ～10 weeks, respectively. The voltammetric performances of the sensor were also investigated. The prepared microsensor was successfully utilized for the determination of Metformin in a pharmaceutical drug sample by potentiometry and voltammetry. It was observed that the obtained results were in agreement with the results obtained by the UV spectroscopy method at 95 % confidence level.     

Lead(II) Potentiometric Sensor Based on 1,4,8,11‐Tetrathiacyclotetradecane Neutral Carrier and Lipophilic Additives

A potentiometric sensor for lead(II) ions based on the use of 1,4,8,11‐tetrathiacyclotetradecane (TTCTD) as a neutral ionophore and potassium tetrakis‐(p‐chlorophenyl)borate as a lipophilic additive in plasticized PVC membranes is developed. The sensor exhibits linear potentiometric response towards lead(II) ions over the concentration range of 1.0×10^?5–1.0×10^?2 mol L^?1 with a Nernstian slope of 29.9 mV decade^?1 and a lower limit of detection of 2.2×10^?6 mol L^?1 Pb(II) ions over the pH range of 3–6.5. Sensor membrane without a lipophilic additive displays poor response. The sensor shows high selectivity for Pb(II) over a wide variety of alkali, alkaline earth and transition metal ions. The sensor shows long life span, high reproducibility, fast response and long term stability. Validation of the method by measuring the lower limit of detection, lower limit of linear range, accuracy, precision and sensitivity reveals good performance characteristics of the proposed sensor. The developed sensor is successfully applied to direct determination of lead(II) in real samples. The sensor is also used as an indicator electrode for the potentiometric titration of Pb(II) with EDTA and potassium chromate. The results obtained agree fairly well with data obtained by AAS.