Copper(II) ion selective electrode based on a newly synthesized Schiff-base chelate

A new Cu (II) ion-selective electrode has been fabricated in poly (vinyl chloride) matrix based on a recently synthesized Schiff-base chelate. The addition of sodium tetraphenylborate (NaTPB) and various plasticizers viz. TBP, TEHP, DOS, and CN have been found to substantially improve the performance of the electrode. The membrane of various compositions of the ionophore (I) were investigated and it was found that the best performance was obtained with the membrane having (I): PVC: NaTPB: CN in the ratio 4: 140: 3: 80 (mg). The electrode exhibits a Nernstian response over a wide concentration range (1.9 × 10⁻⁶–1.0 × 10⁻¹ M) with 30.0 mV/decade of concentration between pH 3.0 and 7.5. The response time of the electrode is about 12 s and it can be used over a period of 3 months without any divergence in potential. The potentiometric selectivity coefficient values as determined by fixed interference method indicate excellent selectivity for Cu²⁺ ions over interfering cations. The electrode has also been used successfully in partially non-aqueous media having a 25% (v/v) methanol, ethanol or acetone content without showing any considerable change in the value of slope or working concentration range. The electrode has been used in the potentiometric titration of Cu²⁺ with EDTA.