Ag selective electrode based on glassy carbon electrode covered with polyaniline and thiacalix[4]arene as neutral carrier

Potentiometric sensor based on glassy carbon electrode covered with polyaniline and neutral carrier, e.g. thiacalix4]arene containing pyridine fragments in the substituents in the lower rim has been developed and applied for determination of Ag⁺ ions in the range from 1.0 × 10⁻² to 5.0 × 10⁻⁷ M with the response time of 12 s. The presence of thiacalixarene in the surface layer improves the reversibility and selectivity of the signal towards transient metal ions. The potentiometric selectivity coefficients were determined for various measurement conditions. As shown, the pH control and the use of NaF as a masking agent fully eliminate the interfering effect of Hg²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions, respectively. The reaction of Ag⁺ with thiacalixarene was proved by the investigation of the extraction of picrate complexes of transient metals in the organic phase. The potentiometric sensor developed was successfully used for the potentiometric determination of silver sulfathiazole (Argosulfan™).