A dynamic electrochemical sensor for europium(III)

Abstract

1325-1331A new calixarene derivative, i.e., p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene has been used as an excellent ionophore in the construction of a novel PVC based Eu(III)-selective electrode. A master membrane with percentage composition of PVC:DBP:L: NaTPB:: 32:55:4:9 gives the best results. The membrane electrode exhibits a nernstian response with the slope of 19.7±1.0 mV/decade over a wide concentration range of 9.1 × 10-8-1.0 × 10-1 M and with detection limit of 8.8 × 10-8 M. The effects of membrane composition and pH as well as the influence of the anionic additive on the electrode performance have been investigated. The potential response of the resulting sensor is not influenced in the pH range 3.0-9.0. Moreover, the membrane electrode has a good reproducibility (RSD 3%), very fast response time (5 s) and ability to detect Eu(III) among other rare earth metal and common cations. The membrane sensor works satisfactorily up to 40% non-aqueous medium and can be used over a period of 6 months. The sensor has been successfully applied for the determination of Eu(III) in analytical and biological samples (urine and serum) and also acts as an electrode indicator