Comparative studies of ONNO-based ligands as ionophores for palladium ion-selective membrane sensors

Palladium sensors based on two neutral ionophores, N,N′-bis(acetylacetone) cyclohexanediamine (L1) and N,N′-bis(o-hydroxyacetophenone)-1,2-cyclohexanediamine (L2) for quantification of palladium ions are described. Effect of various plasticizers (o-NPOE, DBP, DEP, DOP, TBP, and CN) and anion excluder, sodium tetra phenyl borate (NaTPB) has been studied. The best performance is obtained with a membrane composition of PVC:o-NPOE:ionophore (L1):NaTPB of 150:300:5:5 (%, w/w). The sensor exhibits significantly enhanced selectivity towards palladium ion over the concentration range 1.0 × 10−8 to 1.0 × 10−1 M with a lower detection limit of 4.0 × 10−9 M and a Nernstian compliance (29.1 ± 0.3 mV decade−1 of activity) within pH range 2.0–6.0 and fast response time of 10 s. Influence of the membrane composition and possible interfering ions has also been investigated on the response properties of the electrode. Fast and stable response, good reproducibility and long-term stability of the sensor are demonstrated. The sensor has been found to work satisfactorily in partially non-aqueous media up to 20% (v/v) content of methanol, ethanol and acetonitrile and could be used for a period of 4 months. Selectivity coefficients determined with fixed interference method (FIM) indicate high selectivity for palladium. The proposed electrode shows fairly good discrimination of palladium from other cations. The application of prepared sensor has been demonstrated in determination of palladium ions in spiked water sample.