Fabrication of a PVC membrane samarium(III) sensor based on N,N′,N″-tris(4-pyridyl)trimesic amide as a selectophore

A new ion-selective electrode for Sm3 + ion is described based on the incorporation of N,N′,N″-tris(4-pyridyl)trimesic amide (TPTA) in a poly(vinylchloride) (PVC) matrix. The membrane sensor comprises nitrobenzene (NB) as a plasticizer, and oleic acid (OA) as an anionic additive. The sensor with the optimized composition shows a Nernstian potential response of 19.8 ± 0.5 mV decade− 1 over a wide concentration range of 1.0 × 10− 2 and 1 × 10− 6 mol L− 1, with a lower detection limit of 4.7 × 10− 7 mol L− 1 and satisfactor applicable pH range of 3.6–9.2. Having a short response time of less than 10 s and a very good selectivity towards the Sm3 + over a wide variety of interfering cations (e.g. alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions) the sensor seemed to be a promising analytical tool for determination of the Sm3 +. Hence, it was used as an indicator electrode in the potentiometric titration of samarium ion with EDTA. It was also applied to the direct samarium recovery in binary mixtures.

► A new Sm3 +-PVC membrane sensor is introduced for determination of Sm3 + ions in the solutions.
► N,N′,N″-tris(4-pyridyl)trimesic amide was used as a suitable selectophore for samarium sensor.
► Detection limit of the sensor is 4.7 × 10− 7 mol L− 1 with a short response time of less than 10 s.