Cation selective tubular carrier-PVC-membranes containing polymeric plasticizer with low tendency of migration for Solid State Contact Electrodes

The lifetime of cation selective carrier-PVC-membranes partially depends on the components' remaining in the membrane. An exchange of monomeric by polymeric plasticizers with low tendency to migrate lengthens the function time drastically. Other than for Na+ - and NH-selective membranes, it is essential for K+ - and Ca2+-selective membranes and optional for H+-selective membranes to incorporate lipophilic anions in order to make the phase transfer catalysis more efficient. The resistence to saponification of phthalic acid polyester gives H+-selective membranes a high stability of measured values even in the alkaline range. For anion selective PVC-membranes, instead of cation selective plasticizers the plasticizing qualities of a liquid charged ligand should be used. The tubular carrier-PVC-membranes of our ion selective flow through measuring systems are diffusion welded to the ends of two PVC-tubes [1] so that they are absolutely tight with no risk of potential leakage. Migration of the membrane components plasticizer and ionophore across this border as well as their extraction [2, 3] into the measuring solution [4] will naturally reduce the membrane's functionning time [5].