Silver(I)-selective membrane potentiometric sensor based on two recently synthesized ionophores containing calix[4]arene

Two new PVC membrane electrodes that are highly selective to Ag(I) ions were prepared using (L₁) calyx4]arene (L₂) as two suitable neutral carriers. The silver(I) ion selective electrodes exhibit a good response for silver ion over a wide concentration range of 1.0 × 10⁻¹ to 4.2 × 10⁻⁶ M (L₁) and 1.0 × 10⁻¹ to 6.5 × 10⁻⁶ M (L₂) with a Nernstian slope of 60 mV per decade (L₁) and 58 mV per decade (L₂) at 25°C, and was found to be very selective, precise, and usable within the pH range 4.0–8.0. They have a response time of <15 s and can be used for at least 3 months without any measurable divergence in potential. The proposed sensors show a fairly good discriminating ability towards Ag⁺ ion in comparison to some hard and soft metal ions. The electrodes were used as indicator electrodes in the potentiometric titration of silver ion and in the determination of Ag⁺ in photographic emulsion and radiographic and photographic films. Published in Russian in Elektrokhimiya, 2009, Vol. 45, No. 7, pp. 862–868. The article is published in the original.