Manual and Flow-Injection Detection/Quantification of Polyquaterniums via Fully Reversible Polyion-Sensitive Polymeric Membrane-Based Ion-Selective Electrodes

The detection of four different polyquaterniums (PQs) using a fully reversible potentiometric polyion sensor in three different detection modes is described. The polyion sensing “pulstrodes” serve as the detector for direct dose-response experiments, beaker titrations, and in a flow-injection analysis (FIA) system. Direct polycation response toward PQ-2, PQ-6, PQ-10, and poly(2-methacryloxyethyltrimethylammonium) chloride (PMETAC) yield characteristic information about each PQ species (e.g., relative charge densities, etc.) via syringe pump addition of each PQ species to a background electrolyte solution. Quantitative titrations are performed using a syringe pump to deliver heparin as the polyanion titrant to quantify all four PQs at µg/mL levels. Both the direct and indirect methods incorporate the use of a three-electrode system including counter, double junction reference, and working electrodes. The working electrode possesses a plasticized PVC membrane containing the neutral lipophilic salt of dinony...