Poly(vinyl chloride)/Nanocarbon Composites for Advanced Potentiometric Membrane Sensor Design

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Polymer nanocomposites with carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) are crucial for advanced materials.
• Interfacial electron transfer films are key components in solid contact potentiometric membrane sensors (SC-PMSs).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate polymer nanocomposites as interfacial electron transfer films for SC-PMSs.
• To compare the performance of plasticized poly (vinyl chloride) (pPVC) matrices modified with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), fullerenes-C60, and a hybrid (SWCNTs-C60) ensemble.
• To develop and demonstrate a novel potentiometric sensor for phenylpyruvic acid detection.

Main Methods:

• Preparation and characterization of nanostructured composite films (pPVC/SWCNTs, pPVC/C60, pPVC/SWCNTs-C60).
• Measurement of morphological characteristics and electrical conductivity.
• Fabrication and testing of a potentiometric membrane sensor utilizing the composite films.

Main Results:

• The pPVC/SWCNTs-C60 composite film exhibited higher specific electrical conductivity compared to films with individual components.
• The developed sensor demonstrated effective electron transfer capabilities.
• The sensor showed a stable and fast Nernstian response for phenylpyruvate ions over a wide linear concentration range (5 × 10^-7-1 × 10^-3 M).
• A low detection limit of 10^-7.2 M was achieved.

Conclusions:

• The hybrid SWCNTs-C60 composite material is a promising candidate for interfacial electron transfer films in SC-PMSs.
• The developed sensor offers a sensitive and reliable method for detecting phenylpyruvic acid, relevant for diagnosing conditions like phenylketonuria, viral hepatitis, and alcoholism.