Calcium‐Selective Electrodes for Measurements in the Presence of Anionic Surfactants

Calcium selective electrodes with various membrane formulations were studied in solutions containing CaCl₂ and sodium dodecylsulfate (NaDS). It is shown that electrodes based on neutral ionophores ETH 1001 and ETH 129 cannot be used as Ca²⁺ ion sensors in these solutions because of strong anion interference from DS^? anion. Among other formulations, that based on calcium bis(tetramethylbutylphenyl)phosphate in tri(2‐ethylhexyl)phosphate appear the most promising. The interpretation of the ISE response in solutions under study relied on a novel approach which considers three forms of calcium: Ca²⁺ free ions, Ca in Ca(DS)₂ precipitate, and Ca²⁺ bound by the DS^? micelles. Data needed for the respective calculations were obtained by DS^? selective electrode based on tetradecylammonium, and Na⁺ selective glass electrode.