Development of an electrochemical sensor based on Schiff base for Cu(II) determination at nano level in river water and edible materials

Plasticised membranes using 2-{(2-hydroxyphenyl)imino}methyl]-phenol (L₁) and 2-{(3-hydroxyphenyl)imino}methyl]-phenol (L₂), have been prepared and investigated as Cu²⁺ ion-selective sensors. Effect of various plasticisers, namely, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), dibutyl sebacate (DBS), benzyl acetate (BA), o-nitrophenyloctylether (o-NPOE) and anion excluders, oleic acid (OA) and sodium tetraphenylborate (NaTPB) was studied and improved performance was observed in several instances. Optimum performance was observed with membranes of (L₁) having composition L₁ : DBS : OA : PVC in the ratio of 6 : 54 : 10 : 30 (w/w, %). The sensor works satisfactorily in the concentration range 3.2 × 10^?8–1.0 × 10^?1 mol L^?1 with a Nernstian slope of 29.5 ± 0.5 mV decade^?1 of a _cu²⁺ . The detection limit of the proposed sensor is 2.0 × 10^?8 mol L^?1 (1.27 ng mL^?1). Wide pH range (3.0–8.5), fast response time (7 s), sufficient (up to 25% v/v) non-aqueous tolerance and adequate shelf life (3 months) indicate the utility of the proposed sensor. The potentiometric selectivity coefficients as determined by matched potential method indicate selective response for Cu²⁺ ions over various interfering ions, and therefore could be successfully used for the determination of copper in edible oils, tomato plant material and river water.