Studies of solid-state ion-selective electrodes prepared from semiconducting organic radical-ion salts

The primary redox reactions for solid-state ion-selective electrodes prepared from electronically semiconducting salts of 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (tcnq) can be identified by considering the redox properties of their constituent ions or molecules. Three different processes involving the couples, Mⁿ⁺/M⁰, 2tcnq^o/(tcnq^-)₂ and (tcnq^-)₂/2tcnq^2- are possible depending on salt composition. Ionic product values determined by potentiometric and atomic absorption methods are in excellent agreement for several such salts; K_s(K₂tcnq₂)=5.8±1.2·10^-11(pot.), 1.7±1·10^-11 (a.a.s.); K_s(Cdtcnq₂) = 3.0±0.5·10^-9 (pot.), 2.9±0.3·10^-9(a.a.s.); K_s(Pbtcnq₂) = 1.3±0.3·10^-10 (pot.), 0.96±0.2·10^-10(a.a.s.); and indicate that the lower activity limit for electrode response is controlled by the solubility of the sensor material itself. Comparisons of predicted and observed standard electrode potentials provide quantitative support for an ion-exchange mechanism of interference. The behaviour of electrodes prepared from Cu₂tcnq₂ (copper(I)) and Cutcnq₂ (copper(II)) is explained on the basis of an interference mechanism and considerations of solid-state equilibria.