An uranyl solid state PVC membrane potentiometric sensor based on 4,13-didecyl-1,7,10,16-tetraoxa-4,13- diazacyclooctadecane and its application for environmental samples

An ion-selective membrane electrode based on 4,13-didecyl-1,7,10,16-tetraoxa-4,13-diazacyclooctadecane (Kryptofix 22DD) incorporated into a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) membrane has been constructed. The electrode was prepared by a membrane containing dibutylphetalate (DBP) as plasticiser, Kryptofix 22DD as an ionophore, graphite powder as an additive and PVC as a matrix. Under the optimised membrane composition, the constructed electrochemical sensor shows the best response characteristics with a Nernstian behaviour over the concentration range of 1.0 × 10−4–1.0 × 10−1 mol L−1 of solution, with a detection limit of 1.20 × 10−5 mol L−1. The electrode is applicable in the pH range of 1.5–4. It has a fast response time of about 10 s and can be used for at least 12 weeks without any considerable spellcheck in its potential response. The fabricated electrode reveals a good selectivity towards the ion in the presence of several cations in solution and also, it could be applied for determination of this ion in real samples.