Anion recognition through amide-based dendritic molecule: A poly(vinyl chloride) based sensor for nitrate ion

Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)-based membranes of N,N-bis-succinamide-based dendritic molecule with tetrabutyl ammonium bromide (TBAB) as a cation inhibitor and dibutylphthalate (DBP), dioctylphthalate (DOP), dibutyl (butyl) phosphonate (DBBP) and 1-chloronaphthalene (CN) as plasticizing solvent mediators were prepared and used as nitrate ion-selective electrodes. Optimum performance was observed with the membrane having I–PVC–TBAB–DBP in the ratio 1:33:1:65 (w/w). The electrode has a linear response to nitrate with a detection limit of 3.9 × 10−5 ± 0.07 M and Nernstian compliance (57.0 ± 0.2 mV/decade) between pH 2.8 and 9.6 with a fast response time of about 20 s. The selectivity coefficient values of the order of 0.001 for mono-; bi- and trivalent anions; indicate high selectivity for nitrate ions over these anions. The preparation procedure of the electrode is very easy and inexpensive. The electrodes were used over a period of 45 days with good reproducibility. The analytical usefulness of the proposed electrode has been evaluated by its application in the determination of nitrate ions in waste water samples.