Abstract
Three simple, rapid, and sensitive ion-selective electrodes for indirect determination of free formaldehyde in urea glue and wastewater have been developed. The methods are based on the formation of the membrane sensors 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine-phosphtungestic acid (DNPH-PTA), 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine-phosphomolybdic acid (DNPH-PMA), and 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine-tetraphenylborate (DNPH-TPB) as neutral carriers. The sensors are stable and show fast potential responses of 30 s, and near-Nernstian cationic slopes of 56.2 ± 0.5, 54.3 ± 0.5, and 53.8 ± 0.4 mV per decade of activity between pH 0.5 and 3.5 over a wide range of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine concentrations (1 × 10
−5
to 1 × 10
−2
M). These sensors were used for indirect determination of formaldehyde over concentration range (1 × 10
−4
to 1 × 10
−1
M). The selectivity coefficients of the developed sensors indicate excellent selectivity for 2,4 DNPH over a large number of organic and inorganic species. The mediator o-nitrophenyloctyl ether has a significant affect on the lifetime of the fabricated sensors. The analytical applications of the proposed sensors showed good results for indirect determination of formaldehyde in formaldehyde solutions, wastewater solutions, and free formaldehyde in urea-formaldehyde liquid and powder glues. The results were compared favourably with that obtained by ASTM, colorimetric, and British Standard methods.