Potentiometric response of graphite electrodes coated with modified polymer films

Graphite electrodes coated with chemically-modified polymer films are described. Several different polymers were used, including poly(acrylic acid), polytriethyl(vinylbenzyl)ammonium chloride], polytrihexyl(vinylbenzyl)ammonium chloride], and polytrihexyl(vinylbenzyl)ammonium thiocyanate]. A cation-responsive electrode can be prepared from poly(acrylic acid)-coated graphite. Anion-responsive electrodes can be prepared from graphite coated with polymeric quaternary amines. In these electrodes, the ion-sensing species is irreversibly attached to the polymer (rather than physically entrapped within a polymer matrix); this factor eliminates leaching of the active component, and the addition of a plasticizer is unnecessary. A selective sensor for thiocyanate is described; it yields a Nernstian response over the concentration range 1 × 10^?1–1 × 10^?5 M sodium thiocyanate.