Potentiometric detection of copper ion using chitin grafted polyaniline electrode

Potentiometric detection of copper ion over chemically interactive and electrically responsive chitin grafted polyaniline (Chit-g-PANI) electrode has been demonstrated for natural as well as artificial samples under optimized conditions using a portable sensing setup. The physical properties and chemical structure of developed electrode were evaluated by different Infrared spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, thermal gravimetric analyzer and ASTM methods. The result indicates the formation of electrically responsive, chemically interactive, stable grafted hybrid matrix for durable and reproducible potentiometric electrode for a self-designed portable potentiometric cell. The potentiometric response of electrode toward Cu²⁺ ions follows the nernst relation in the range from 1 to 10³ ppm with detection limit of 13.77 ppm and negligible interference for different co-existing cations and anions. Further, on the basis of interaction between cupric ion and Chit-g-PANI matrix, the sensing mechanism and ion to electron transduction has been discussed along with future prospects for on-site applications.