Novel potentiometric membrane sensor based on 6-(4-nitrophenyl)-2-phenyl-4,4-dipropyl-3,5-diaza-bicyclo[3,1,0] hex-2-ene for detection of strontium (II) ions at trace levels

A new PVC membrane strontium ion-selective electrode has been constructed using 6-(4-nitrophenyl)-2-phenyl-4,4-dipropyl-3,5-diaza-bicyclo[3,1,0] hex-2-ene (NPDBH) as a neutral ionophore. The electrode was prepared with 7% NPDBH (as ionophore), 57% acetophenone (as plasticizer), 30% PVC and 6% oleic acid (as lipophilic additive). The electrode responds to Sr2+ ion with a sensitivity of 28.2 ± 0.5 mV/decade over the range 1.0 × 10−6–1.0 × 10−1 mol L−1 and in a pH range of 3.0–10.0. The limit of detection was 2.4 × 10−7 mol L−1. It has a response time of <20 s and can be used for at least three months without any divergence in potentials. The proposed electrode shows good discrimination of Sr2+ ion from several cations. The effect of organic solvents on electrode response was examined. The results show that this electrode can be used in ethanol media up to 15% (v/v) concentration without interference. The isothermal temperature coefficient of this electrode amounted to 0.00019 V/°C. The electrode was found to work well under laboratory conditions. It was successfully applied to the determination of strontium ions in human urine and bone digests.