AbstractA highly selective and sensitive Er 3+ sensor was constructed with a polyvinyl chloride matrix membrane containing oxalic acid bis[2-[(phenylamino)carbonyl]hydrazide] as a neutral carrier, sodium tetraphenyl borate as a cationic additive and nitrobenzene as a plasticizing solvent mediator. The proposed sensor exhibits linear potential response with a Nernstian slope of 19.7 ± 0.4 mV decade −1 of activity in the Er 3+ concentration range of 1.0 × 10 −6 to 1.0 × 10 −2 mol dm −3 in the pH range of 2.7-10.2. It has a very short response time (<10 s), a detection limit of 5.8 × 10 −7 mol dm −3 and good selectivity relative to a wide variety of other metal ions including common alkali, alkaline earth, heavy and transition metal ions. The sensor can be used for at least 2 months without any considerable divergence in potentials. The proposed sensor was successfully applied as an indicator electrode for the potentiometric titration of 1.0 × 10 −4 mol dm −3 of Er 3+ ions with a 1.0 × 10 −2 mol dm −3 EDTA. It was also used in the indirect determination of F − ions in some mouthwash solutions.Graphical abstract[IMAGE]