Mercury-selective membrane electrode based on methyl substituted dibenzo tetraphenyl tetraaza macrocycle

A new polystyrene based membrane electrode of methyl substituted 6,7:13,14-dibenzo-2,4,9,11-tetraphenyl-1,5,8,12-tetraazacyclotetradeca-1,4,6,8,11,13-hexaene (I) with sodium tetraphenylborate (NaTPB) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) as anion excluder and plasticizing agent was prepared and investigated as Hg (II)-selective electrode. The electrode exhibits a Nernstian response for Hg (II) ions over a wide concentration range of 1.0 × 10⁻¹–8.9 × 10⁻⁶ M with a slope of 30 ± 1 mV per decade concentration. It has a response time of 10 s and can be used for at least 4 months without any divergence in potentials. The membrane works satisfactorily in a partially non-aqueous medium up to a maximum 30% (v/v) content of methanol and ethanol. The proposed sensor revealed good selectivity over a wide variety of other cations including alkali, alkaline earth, heavy and transition metal ions and could be used in a pH range of 2.5–5.0. Normal interferents like Ag⁺, Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ low interfere in the working of the electrode. The electrode was successfully used in the direct determination of Hg²⁺ in aqueous solution.