Thin layer coulometric determination of nitrate in fresh waters

A nitrate ion-selective electrode (ISE) employing a permeable tubular membrane impregnated with a conventional ISE cocktail has been used successfully in the coulometric analysis of nitrate in fresh waters. The liquid ISE membrane comprising a nitrate ionophore [tridodecylmethylammonium nitrate (TDMAN)], lipophilic electrolyte [tetradodecyl-ammoniumtetrakis(4-chlorophenyl)borate (ETH 500)] and plasticizer [bis(3-ethyl-hexyl)sebacate (DOS)] was supported on a porous polypropylene tube. Coulometric analysis with the tubular membrane ISE showed that nitrate could be detected in the range 10–100 μM with a precision of 2.3% relative standard deviation (RSD), limit of detection of 1.1 μM and relative accuracy of 4.4% compared to a certified reference material (CRM) Lake sample.

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► A tubular membrane nitrate ion-selective electrode is capable of the coulometric analysis of nitrate in lake water.
► Exhaustive nitrate electrolysis in an ion-selective coulometric sensor yielded a calibration free response.
► The coulometric nitrate ion-selective electrode possesses a comparable precision and accuracy to spectrophotometry.