PVC-based bis(2-nitrophenyl)disulfide sensor for zinc ions

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Accurate zinc ion (Zn2+) detection is crucial in various environmental and biological applications.
• Developing selective and stable ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) remains a key challenge in analytical chemistry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize a novel PVC membrane electrode for sensitive and selective zinc ion detection.
• To evaluate the performance of the electrode in terms of response range, selectivity, stability, and applicability in real samples.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a polymer-based membrane electrode incorporating bis(2-nitrophenyl)disulfide as the ion carrier.
• Potentiometric measurements to assess the electrode's response to varying zinc ion concentrations.
• Selectivity testing against common interfering cations and pH range evaluation.
• Application of the electrode in potentiometric titrations and direct determination of zinc in real and synthetic samples.

Main Results:

• The electrode demonstrated a wide linear response range for Zn(2+) from 2.9x10(-7) to 3.2x10(-2) mol L(-1) with a slope of 29.9±0.4 mV/decade.
• A fast response time of approximately 10 seconds and a stable potential response for over 3 months were observed.
• Excellent selectivity for Zn(2+) over numerous cations and a broad operational pH range (2-9) were achieved.
• The electrode successfully functioned as an indicator in potentiometric titrations and for direct zinc determination in various samples.

Conclusions:

• The developed PVC membrane electrode based on bis(2-nitrophenyl)disulfide is a highly effective sensor for zinc ion determination.
• Its superior selectivity, wide operational range, stability, and rapid response make it a valuable tool for analytical applications.
• This sensor offers a reliable and efficient method for potentiometric analysis of zinc in diverse sample matrices.