New solid state contact potentiometric sensor based on a thiosemicarbazone derivative molecule for determination of copper(II) ions in environmental samples

Abstract

Thiosemicarbazone derivative molecules have proven to be good sensor materials in studies using various analytical methods. In this study, new ion–selective sensors were prepared using 2–furaldehyde thiosemicarbazone and their potentiometric properties were then tested. The prepared sensors exhibited a very good selectivity towards copper(II) ions over various ions. Surface images and mappings of the prepared sensors were examined by scanning electron microscopy. Copper(II)–selective sensors had a Nernstian response of 28.5 ± 1.5 mV/decade, and a low detection limit of 6.89 × 10-6 mol L-1 over a wide concentration range of 1.0 × 10-5–1.0 × 10-1 mol L-1 (R2 = 0.9992). The newly prepared copper(II)–selective sensors were shown to be produced reproducibly, stable and economically. The sensors, which can operate in a wide pH range of 5.0–9.0 without being affected by pH changes, had a fast response time of 5 s. The newly developed copper(II)–selective sensors were used as indicator electrodes for the potentiometric titration of copper(II) ions with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and were successfully applied for the determination of copper(II) ion content in various environmental samples with very good performance. The data obtained with the developed sensor were compared with atomic absorption spectroscopy and it was determined that the results of both methods were compatible with each other.