Improvement of durability and analytical characteristics of arsenic-imprinted polymer-based PVC membrane electrode via surface modification of nano-sized imprinted polymer particles: part 2

Abstract

In this study, we focused on how to increase the life time of our previously reported As(III)-selective membrane electrode, fabricated based on As-imprinted polymer nanoparticles. As a result of the study, a new As(III)-selective membrane electrode, loaded with alkyl chain-anchored As-imprinted polymer nanoparticles was introduced. The nano-sized arsenic imprinted polymer was synthesized and then, the surface of the ion imprinted (IP) nanoparticles was modified with hydrophobic alkyl chain via esterification reaction between the surface carboxylic groups of the IP particles and linear alcohol of dodecanol. Membrane electrode was prepared via dispersion of alkyl chain-anchored As-imprinted polymer nanoparticles in poly (vinyl chloride), plasticized with di-nonylphthalate. It was proven that this strategy could improve the life time of the electrode even when it conserved in aqueous media. Moreover, other analytical characteristic of the sensor like lower detection limit (LOD), concentration linear range and selectivity coefficients were improved, compared to the previously reported sensor. The IIP-modified electrode exhibited a Nernstian response (20.4±0.4mVdecade−1) to arsenic ion over a wide concentration range (5.0×10−8 to 1.0×10−1mol L−1) with a LOD of 3.0×10−8molL−1. The sensor was used for arsenic determination in different water samples.