Effect of Plasticizer on the Performance of the Surfactant-Selective Electrode Based on a Poly(Vinyl Chloride) Membrane with no Added Ion-Exchanger

The effect of different plasticizers in the sensing membrane on the performance of a surfactant ISE based on a PVC membrane with no added ion-exchanger was investigated. o-nitrophenyl octyl ether (NPOE), o-nitrophenyl decyl ether (NPDE), o-nitrophenyl dodecyl ether (NPDOE) and o-nitrophenyl tetradecyl ether (NPTE) were used as plasticizers. Electrodes based on NPDE, NPDOE and NPTE produced better results than NPOE-plasticized PVC membrane electrodes in terms of low detection limits. Electrodes based on NPDE, NPDOE and NPTE displayed a Nernstian slope in the concentration range of 10−6 to 10−2 M. NPOE-plasticized PVC membrane electrodes displayed a Nernstian slope in the concentration range of 10−5 to 10−2 M. The three electrodes other than the NPOE-plasticized PVC membrane electrode showed a similar performance to that of the NPOE-plasticized PVC membrane electrode concerning low detection limits and slope sensitivity. The four electrodes examined in this study are excellently selective for the dodecyltrimethylammonium ion over inorganic anions, but interference from other cationic surfactants such as tetradecyltrimethylammonium ions is significant. With respect to slope sensitivity, selectivity, response time and pH effect, the four electrodes showed a similar performance.