Ion Imprinted Polymer Based Electrochemical Sensor for Environmental Monitoring of Copper(II)

Abstract

Plasticized membranes using copper-carboxybenzotriazole have been prepared and explored as Cu2+-selective electrochemical sensors. Effects of three different plasticizers: bis(2-ethylhexyl)sebacate (BEHS), dibutylphthalate (DBP) and Dioctylphthalate (DOP) were studied, optimized and evaluated. Optimum performance was observed with membrane having the following composition: PVC (61%): DBP (35%): IIP (4%). The optimized membrane was used for construction of liquid electrochemical sensor. The sensor was found to work satisfactorily in the concentration range between 1.0x10-1-1.0x10-5M with a Nerstian slope value of about 28.1mV/decade. Wide pH range (3-8), fast response time (22s) and long lifetime (~ 2 months) indicate the potential of the proposed sensors in the determination of copper II ions in synthetic and wastewater samples with excellent recoveries (94%-109%). Potentiometric selectivity coefficient values were determined by separate solution method (SSM), and good selectivity for Cu2+ over most interfering ions was achieved.