Lead ion-selective electrode based on 4′-vinylbenzo-l5-crown-5 homopolymer

A PVC membrane electrode for lead ions based on 4'-vinylbenzo-15-crown-5 homopolymer as membrane carrier was prepared. The electrode exhibits a Nernstian response for Pb(2+) ions over a wide concentration range (4.0 x 10(-3) to 1.0 x 10(-6) M), with a limit of detection of 7.0 x 10(-7) M. it has a response time of 80 s and can be used for at least 4 months without any considerable divergence in potentials. The proposed membrane electrode revealed very good selectivities for Pb(2+) over a wide variety of other cations and could be used in the pH range 2.0-6.0. It was used as an indicator electrode in potentiometric titration of lead ions in both water and 90% methanol solutions. (C) 1998 Academic Press.