Novel Screen-Printed All-Solid-State Copper(II)-Selective Electrode for Mobile Environmental Analysis

Abstract

Based on poly(vinyl chloride) membranes, a novel miniaturized screen-printed all-solid-state copper(II)-selective electrode has been developed for applications in environmental monitoring. Performance and applicability of the ion-selective electrode (ISE) have been proved by potentiometric investigations. Conducting polymers were used as intermediate layers and as solid contacts between the ion-selective membrane and the graphite transducer. The ion-complexing reagent 2-mercapto-benzoxazole was incorporated into poly(vinyl chloride) membranes. In the concentration range 10 -6 - 10 -2 mol/L, the ISE exhibited a linear Nernstian potential response to copper(II) with an average slope value of 28 mV/decade. The detection limit was 3 × 10 -7 mol/L. The electrode exhibits a short response time (<10 s) and can be used in the range of pH = 3 - 7. Selectivity coefficents against certain interfering ions are investigated. The life time of the electrode under laboratory conditions was approximately 12-month. The electrode was applied in the investigation of different aqueous environmental samples and the electrode characteristics were described. The copper(II) ASS electrode has also successfully been used in potentiometric, complexometric titrations with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid.