Copper (II) Sensor Based on a Cephaloridine Antibiotic PVC Matrix

ABSTRACT

A poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) based membrane of cephaloridine as a novel ionophore exhibits good potentiometric response for Cu²⁺ over a wide concentration range (10^?5-10^? M) with a slope of 28.5 mV per decade. The detection limit is 3.5 × 10^?6 M. The response time of the sensor is < 60 s. The electrode has been used for a period of one month and exhibits good selectivity towards Cu²⁺ in comparison to alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions, with no interference caused by Pb²⁺ Cd²⁺ and Fe²⁺ which are known to interfere with many other copper electrodes. The electrode can be used in the pH range from 4.0 to 6.5 and it can also be used in partially non-aqueous medium having up to 10 (v/v) non aqueous content and in the presence of cationic surfactants at concentrations less than 10^?3 M.