A heterocycle functionalized p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene as a neutral carrier for silver (I) ion-selective electrode

- A heterocycle functionalized calix[4]arene has been used for silver ISE.
- Sensor shows Nernstian slope, wide linear response and working pH range.
- Highly selective over alkali, alkaline earth, and transition metal ions
- The sensor has fast response time and reasonable lifetime.
- Can be employed in quantitative determination of Ag+ or Clˉ in real samples

A heterocycle functionalized p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene L has been synthesized and explored as an ionophore for polymeric membrane Ag+-selective electrode. The best response characteristic for the electrode was obtained using the composition of L (1.00): PVC (32.99): DOP (65.97): KTpClPB (0.04) (%, w/w). The electrode exhibits a Nernstian response slope of 59.8 mV/decade in a linear range of 5.0 × 10− 7 to 1.0 × 10− 3 M for Ag+ ions. The electrode showed excellent selectivity towards Ag+ ion over a wide range of alkali, alkaline earth, and transition metal ions. It possessed a fast response time of 10 s and can work in a certain concentration aqueous ethanol solution. The prepared electrode was used as an indicator electrode in potentiometric titration of AgNO3 with KCl and vice versa. The proposed electrode has been successfully used for the determination of Ag+ and Cl− ions in water samples and in vitamin B6 tablets.