Abstract
Beryllium(II) selective electrodes have been fabricated based on poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) matrix membranes containing newly synthesized neutral carrier dibenzo(perhydrotriazino)aza-14-crown-4 ethers as ionophore. Best performance was exhibited by the membrane having a composition ionophore (Ila):PVC:sodium tetraphenylborate (NaTPB):tributyl phosphate (TBP) in the ratio (w/w; mg) of 5:30:3:65. This membrane worked well over a wide concentration range 7.6 x 10(-6) to 1.0 x 10(-1) M of Be2+ with a Nernstian slope of 30.7 mV per decade of beryllium activity. The response time of the sensor is 15s and the membrane can be used over a period of 4 months with good reproducibility. The proposed electrode works well in a wide pH range 3.0-9.0. It was successfully applied to the determination of beryllium in a mineral sample. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.