Lutetium(III) Ions Determination in Biological and Environmental Samples by a Lutetium(III) Sensor Based on N,N′‐bis(2‐Pyridinecarboxamide)‐1,3‐benzene as a Sensing Material

Abstract

The need for the prompt lutetium determination becomes urgent when considering that the risk of its penetration into humans, animals, and plants results in the alteration of the physiological processes of their cells. Subsequently, it is of great importance to develop an efficient method for the accurate lutetium determination. This study demonstrates the development of a N,N′‐bis(2‐pyridinecarboxamide)‐1,3‐benzene (BPMB)‐Lu(III) potentiometric membrane sensor, illustrating the best overall performance in comparison with the other respective sensors in the literature. In detail, the sensor displayed a lower detection limit of 6.3×10−7 M, a Nernstian response in the range of 1.0×10−6 M–1.0×10−1 M and a prompt response time (∼5 sec). Its reproducibility was satisfactory with a relatively good discriminating ability for the lutetium(III) ions among many common cations and lanthanide ions. For the pH values of 3.0–7.5, the sensor potential response remained constant despite the pH fluctuations. This electrode performance was accomplished with a membrane composition of 30% PVC, 63% benzyl acetate (BA), 5% BPMB, and 2% sodium tetraphenylborate (NaTPB). In parallel, the sensor was evaluated by determining the lutetium ion concentration at a Certified Reference Material (CRM), named the Coal and Fuel Ash analysis (FFA 1 Fly Ash), synthetic human serum, and some soil and sediment samples.