title: Nickel(II)-selective sensor based on dibenzo-18-crown-6 in PVC matrix.
abstract: Nickel(II)-selective sensors have been fabricated from poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) matrix membranes containing neutral carrier dibenzo-18-crown-6 as electroactive material, sodium tetraphenylborate (NaTPB) as an anion excluder and tris-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (TEHP) as plasticizing solvent mediator. The membrane having the composition of crown ether:NaTPB:TEHP:PVC in the ratio 10:1:200:200 (w/w) exhibits best results with linear potential response in the concentration range of 1.0x10(-5) to 1.0x10(-1)M and a Nernstian slope of 29.5mV/decade of activity between 2.6 and 6.8. The sensor exhibits a fast response time of <25s, is inert towards non-aqueous medium up to 15% (v/v) and was used over a period of 4 months with good reproducibility. It is selective over a number of mono-, bi- and trivalent cations. The practical utility of the sensor has been demonstrated by using it as an indicator electrode in the potentiometric titration of Ni(2+) against EDTA and also for the estimation of Ni(2+) in some Indian brand chocolates.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee 247667, Uttaranchal, India. vinodfcy@iitr.ernet.in
authors.forename: Vinod Kumar
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Rajendra N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Goyal
authors.forename: Shiva
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Agarwal
authors.forename: Pankaj
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Neeta
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bachheti