Copper(II) sensor based on a cephaloridine antibiotic PVC matrix

A poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) based membrane of cephaloridine as a novel ionophore exhibits good potentiometric response for Cu2+ over a wide concentration range (10(-5)-10(-1) M) with a slope pf 28.5 mV per decade. The detection limit is 3.5 x 10(-6) M. The response time of the sensor is < 60 s. The electrode has been used for a period of one month and exhibits good selectivity towards Cu2+, comparison to alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions, with no interference caused by Pb2+, Cd2+ and Fe2+ which are known to interfere with many other copper electrodes. The electrode can be used in the pH range from 4.0 to 6.5 and it can also be used in partially non-aqueous medium having up to 10% (v/v) non aqueous content and in the presence of cationic surfactants at concentrations less than 10(-3) M.