Effect of concentration of ion exchanger, plasticizer and molecular weight of cyanocopolymers on selectivity and sensitivity of Cd(II) ion selective electrode

Potential response of cadmium(II) ion selective electrode based on cyanocopolymer matrices and 8-hydroxyquinoline as ionophore has been evaluated by varying the amount of ionophore, plasticizer and the molecular weight of the cyanocopolymer. The sensitivity, working range, response time, and metal ions interference have shown a significant dependence on the concentration of ionophore, plasticizer and molecular weight of cyanocopolymers. The electrodes prepared with 2.38×10−2 mol kg−1 of ionophore, 1.23×10−2 mol dm−3 of plasticizer and 2.0 g of cyanocopolymer (molecular wt., 59 365) have shown a Nernstian slope of 29.00±0.001 mV per decade activities of Cd2+ ions with a response time of 12±0.007 s. Electrodes have shown an appreciable selectivity for Cd2+ ions in the presence of alkali and alkaline earth metal ions and could be used in a pH range of 2.5–6.5. The cyano groups of the copolymers contributed significantly to enhance the selectivity of the electrode. The electrode has shown an appreciable average life of 6 months without any significant drift in the electrode potential and found to be free from leaching of membrane ingredients. Electrode response is explained considering phase boundary model based on thermodynamic considerations.