Quaternary thiospinel CuCrTiS4 as an electroactive material for copper(II)-sensitive and selective electrode

CuCrTiS4 was obtained by solid-state synthesis methods. The crystal structure of the quaternary phase was investigated by X-ray powder method and is described in the thiospinel structure (space group Fd¯3m) with the lattice parameter а = 0,99388(1) nm. Atomic parameters were refined in the isotropic approximation (RI = 0.0465, RP = 0.1060). The possibility of the use of this compound as an electroactive substance in graphite-paste electrodes for the measurement of Сu2+ ions was investigated. The electrodes exhibit a Nernstian response towards copper (II) ions with a cationic slope. The optimal electrode composition, detection limit (6 · 10− 7 M), selectivity coefficient for major interfering elements, рН range and practical applicability of such electrodes were established.