Ni2+ ion sensitive sustainable sensors based on 4-vinyl pyridine-ethyl acrylate copolymer

Abstract

Toxic metal ions present in environmental water samples and other samples need to be detected for their removal. The detection of trace metal ions using an ion selective electrode (ISE) holds great significance in analytical chemistry. A 4-vinyl pyridine-ethyl acrylate copolymer-polyvinyl chloride (VE-PVC) based polymeric matrix (electrode) has been fabricated by free radical bulk polymerization method which is an example of a green and sustainable method capable of detecting Ni2+ ions even in trace amounts. To fabricate the polymeric matrix (electrode) (PME), VE has been used as an ionophore. Further, the effectiveness of Ni2+ ion ISE has also been investigated in the presence of surfactants and detergents. Its performance has also been analyzed in the presence of plasticizers. The electrode is found to be very useful for the estimation of Ni2+ ions using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid by potentiometric titration and also in the estimation of presence of Ni2+ ions in water. Compared to other metal ions, the fabricated membrane electrode developed in this work has been found to show efficient and better selectivity towards Ni2+ ions.