Construction of a New Uranyl‐Selective Electrode Based on a New Ionophore: Comparison of the Effect Additive on Electrode Responses

A new plasticized PVC uranyl‐selective electrode based on a bis(2‐hydroxyacetophenone)ethylenediimine (BHAED) carrier by the direct coating of the membrane ingredients on the surface of a graphite disk electrode is reported. The electrode displayed high selectivity for uranyl ion toward a number of inorganic ions. The influence of the membrane compositions and pH, the effect of lipophilic cationic and anionic additives and plasticizer on the response properties of the electrode were investigated. The electrode exhibited a Nernstian slope of + 29.3 ± 1.2 for the uranyl ion concentration in the range of 5.0 × 10^?6 ?0.05 M with detection limits of approx. 2.0 μM. The potentiometric responses of the electrode are independent of pH over the range of 3.0–4.5 with satisfactory reproducibility. The sensor has response times of <5 s and can be used for at least 2 months without considerable divergence in potential.