Development of a pH sensing membrane electrode based on a new calix[4]arene derivative

•The proposed electrode can be a good alternative for a glass electrode.•Showed good selectivity for H+ ions in the presence of some cations and anions.•A longer lifetime of at least 12 months and wide working range of pH 1.9–12.7.•Successfully employed for the titratable acidity and used in fluoride-media.•Simplicity of preparation, low-cost and fast response time.

A new pH sensing poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) membrane electrode was developed by using recently synthesized 5,17-bis(4-benzylpiperidine-1-yl)methyl-25,26,27,28-tetrahydroxy calix[4]arene as an ionophore. The effects of membrane composition, inner filling solution and conditioning solution on the potential response of the proposed pH sensing membrane electrode were investigated. An optimum membrane composition of 3% ionophore, 67% o-nitrophenyl octyl ether (o-NPOE) as plasticizer, 30% PVC was found. The electrode exhibited a near-Nernstian slope of 58.7±1.1 mV pH−1 in the pH range 1.9–12.7 at 20±1 °C. It showed good selectivity for H+ ions in the presence of some cations and anions and a longer lifetime of at least 12 months when compared with the other PVC membrane pH electrodes reported in the literature. Having a wide working pH range, it was not only applied as a potentiometric indicator electrode in various acid–base titrations, but also successfully employed in different real samples. It has good reproducibility and repeatability with a response time of 6–7 s. Compared to traditional glass pH electrode, it exhibited excellent potentiometric response after being used in fluoride-containing media.

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