Sensitive and selective detection of trace copper in standard alloys, food and biological samples using a bulk optode based on N,N′-(4,4′-ethylene biphenyl) bis(3-methoxy salicylidine imine) as neutral carrier

In this paper, an optical sensing film has been proposed for sensitive determination of copper (ІІ) ion in aqueous solutions. The copper sensing membrane was prepared by incorporating N,N′-(4,4′-ethylene biphenyl) bis(3-methoxy salicylidine imine) as ionophore in the plasticized PVC membrane containing bis(2-ethylhexyl) sebacate (DOS) as plasticizer. This proposed membrane works on the basis of a cation-exchange mechanism and shows a significant absorbance signal change on exposure to acetate buffer solution of pH 4.0 containing copper ion. The proposed sensing film displays a linear range of 0.01–32.0 μg mL−1 with a limit of detection 0.008 μg mL−1. Moreover, upon the introduction of a negatively charged lipophilic additive (oleic acid) into the membrane, the optode displayed enhanced sensitivity. In addition, satisfactory analytical sensing characteristics for determining copper (II) ion were obtained in terms of the selectivity, stability and reproducibility. The response time of the optode was less than 3 min, depending on the concentration of Cu(ІІ) ions. The optode membrane has been applied to determine Cu(II) in various real samples.

Graphical abstractAbsorption spectra of ionophore in the solution at the presence of different cations.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► An optical sensing film has been proposed for sensitive determination of Cu(ІІ) ion. ► The copper sensing membrane works on the basis of a cation-exchange mechanism. ► Satisfactory analytical sensing characteristics for determining Cu(II) ion were obtained. ► The optode membrane has been applied to determine Cu(II) in various real samples.