Abstract
A novel potentiometric PVC coated graphite uranyl ion sensor incorporating bis-(acetylacetone)-p-phenylenediamine-uranyl ion complex based ionophore as a sensing material and dioctylphthalate (DOP) as a solvent mediator is described and electrochemically evaluated. The sensor exhibits fast Nernstian response for uranyl ion over the concentration range 5 × 10
−7
-1 × 10
−1
mol L
−1
with a calibration slope 30 ± 0.2 mV/concentration decade and a detection limit of 2 × 10
−7
mol L
−1
. Interferences from common inorganic cations are negligible. The sensor was successfully applied in the determination of uranium in real (monazite sand) sample. The average recovery obtained is 93.5 ± 0.5% with standard deviation of 0.5% (n = 8).