Thiocyanate-selective electrodes based on nickel and iron phthalocyanines

Highly sensitive and selective colorimetric sensor for thiocyanate based on electrochemical oxidation-assisted complexation reaction with Gold nanostars etching

In this work, we developed an electrochemical oxidation-assisted complexation strategy for highly sensitive and selective detection of thiocyanate (SCN^-). Gold nanostars (AuNSs) with uniform and sharp tips were first prepared, and we found they can be quickly etched to gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) under electrochemical oxidation with the existence of halide and halogen-like ions. Through introducing SCN^--selective molecule: zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc), the fabricated ZnPc-AuNSs/ITO electrode can rapidly and selectively response to SCN^- under electrochemical oxidation, manifesting as a noticeable change in color from navy blue to red. Thus SCN^- concentration can be easily reflected. The wide wavelength tuning range of AuNSs to AuNPs make the ZnPc-AuNSs/ITO sensor obtain a much wider detection range for SCN^- (10 nM to 80 mM) than most other reported studies. In addition, the detection limit is as low as 3 nM. It renders the sensor to be easily used in much diluted matrixes, which can further lower the interference. We further applied the colorimetric sensor to SCN^- detection in wastewater and milk, excellent performance was obtained. The proposed electrochemical oxidation-assisted complexation strategy will have good promise in developing colorimetric sensors with high selectivity and wide detection range, and will display more useful application in environmental monitoring.

Potentiometric Solid-Contact Ion-Selective Electrode for Determination of Thiocyanate in Human Saliva

A new solid-contact potentiometric ion-selective electrode for the determination of SCN- (SCN-ISE) has been described. Synthesized phosphonium derivative of calix[4]arene was used as a charged ionophore. The research included selection of the ion-selective membrane composition, determination of the ISEs metrological parameters and SCN-ISE application for thiocyanate determination in human saliva. Preparation of the ISEs included selection of a plasticizer for the ion-selective membrane composition and type of the electrode material. The study was carried out using ISE with liquid internal electrolyte (LE-ISE) and solid-contact electrodes made of glassy carbon (GC-ISE) and gold rods (Au-ISE). The best parameters were found for GC sensors for which the ion-selective membrane contained chloroparaffin as a plasticizer (S = 59.9 mV/dec, LOD = 1.6 ´ 10-6 M). The study of potentiometric selectivity coefficients has shown that the thiocyanate-selective sensor could be applied in biomedical research for determination of SCN- concentration in human saliva. The accuracy of the SCN- determination was verified by testing 59 samples of volunteers' saliva by potentiometric sensors and UV-Vis spectrophotometry as a reference technique. Moreover, SCN- concentrations in the smokers' and non-smokers' saliva were compared. In order to investigate the influence of various factors (sex, health status, taken medications) on the thiocyanate level in the saliva, more extensive studies on a group of 100 volunteers were carried out. Additionally, for a group of 18 volunteers, individual profiles of SCN- concentration in saliva measured on a daily basis for over a month were collected.

Zinc phthalocyanines with fluorinated substituents for direct sensing of carbamate and organophosphate pesticides in water

Water pollution by pesticides as the result of intensive agriculture and horticulture has brought many negative consequences to humans and ecosystems. Among others, chemical sensor systems are under intense development for direct pesticide analysis in aqueous samples as a cost effective and simple alternative analytical method. In this work, a set of zinc phthalocyanines is studied in its liquid sensing properties using quartz crystal microbalances. Four different species selected from the two most common organophosphorus and carbamate classes of pesticides are used as test analytes. The phthalocyanines are chemically modified with different fluorinated substituents to increase sensor sensitivity and govern pesticide selectivity in order to create sensors with widely diverging analyte responses. By this means, sensors with a general high sensitivity and selectivity for the two pesticide classes were obtained and detection limits down to 0.03 mg.L-1 could be achieved. The response data of the sensors are analyzed in detail using exploratory multivariate data evaluation methods. The results show that phthalocyanine based sensors are a truly capable platform for chemical analysis systems of aqueous samples.

Kinetic spectrophotometric method for trace determination of thiocyanate based on its inhibitory effect

A kinetic spectrophotometric method for the determination of thiocyanate, based on its inhibitory effect on silver(I) catalyzed substitution of cyanide ion, by phenylhydrazine in hexacyanoferrate(II) is described. Thiocyanate ions form strong complexes with silver(I) catalyst which is used as the basis for its determination at trace level. The progress of reaction was monitored, spectrophotometrically, at 488 nm (lambda(max) of [Fe(CN)(5)PhNHNH(2)](3-), complex) under the optimum reaction conditions at: 2.5x10(-3)M [Fe(CN)(6)](4-), 1.0x10(-3)M [PhNHNH(2)], 8.0x10(-7)M [Ag(+)], pH 2.8+/-0.02, ionic strength (mu) 0.02 M (KNO(3)) and temperature 30+/-0.1 degrees C. A linear relationship obtained between absorbance (measured at 488 nm at different times) and inhibitor concentration, under specified conditions, has been used for the determination of [thiocyanate] in the range of 0.8-8.0x10(-8)M with a detection limit of 2x10(-9)M. The standard deviation and percentage error have been calculated and reported with each datum. A most plausible mechanistic scheme has been proposed for the reaction. The values of equilibrium constants for complex formation between catalyst-inhibitor (K(CI)), catalyst-substrate (K(s)) and Michaelis-Menten constant (K(m)) have been computed from the kinetic data. The influence of possible interference by major cations and anions on the determination of thiocyanate and their limits has been investigated.

Developments in the Field of Conducting and Non-conducting Polymer Based Potentiometric Membrane Sensors for Ions Over the Past Decade

Many research studies have been conducted on the use of conjugated polymers in the construction of chemical sensors including potentiometric, conductometric and amperometric sensors or biosensors over the last decade. The induction of conductivity on conjugated polymers by treating them with suitable oxidizing agents won Heeger, MacDiarmid and Shirakawa the 2000 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Common conjugated polymers are poly(acetylene)s, poly(pyrrole)s, poly(thiophene)s, poly(terthiophene)s, poly(aniline)s, poly(fluorine)s, poly(3-alkylthiophene)s, polytetrathiafulvalenes, polynapthalenes, poly(p-phenylene sulfide), poly(p-phenylenevinylene)s, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), polyparaphenylene, polyazulene, polyparaphenylene sulfide, polycarbazole and polydiaminonaphthalene. More than 60 sensors for inorganic cations and anions with different characteristics based on conducting polymers have been reported. There have also been reports on the application of non-conducting polymers (nCPs), i.e. PVC, in the construction of potentiometric membrane sensors for determination of more than 60 inorganic cations and anions. However, the leakage of ionophores from the membranes based on these polymers leads to relatively lower life times. In this article, we try to give an overview of Solid-Contact ISE (SCISE), Single-Piece ISE (SPISE), Conducting Polymer (CP)-Based, and also non-conducting polymer PVC-based ISEs for various ions which their difference is in the way of the polymer used with selective membrane. In SCISEs and SPISEs, the plasticized PVC containing the ionophore and ionic additives govern the selectivity behavior of the electrode and the conducting polymer is responsible of ion-to-electron transducer. However, in CPISEs, the conducting polymer layer is doped with a suitable ionophore which enhances the ion selectivity of the CP while its redox response has to be suppressed.

Determination of trace amounts of thiocyanate by a new kinetic procedure based on an induction period

A new, simple and sensitive kinetic spectrophotometric method with no need for removing of interfering substances is proposed for the determination of thiocyanate ion in biological and water samples. The procedure is based on the inhibiting effect of thiocyanate on the sodium periodate-potassium bromide-meta cresol purple (MCP) system in acidic media. The induction period of the reaction is proportional to the SCN- concentration. The decolorization of meta cresol purple by the reaction products was used to monitor the reaction spectrophotometrically at 525 nm. Under optimum conditions, thiocyanate can be determined in the range of 0.02-0.8 microg ml(-1) with a 3sigma detection limit of 5 ng ml(-1). The relative standard deviations for 10 replicate determinations of 0.060, 0.10 and 0.50 microg ml(-1) thiocyanate are 3.7, 2.4 and 1.0%, respectively. This method has been successfully used to the determination of thiocyanate content in smokers and non-smokers saliva and spiked water sample.

Quantification of iodide and sodium-iodide symporter inhibitors in human urine using ion chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

We developed a sensitive and selective method for quantifying nitrate, thiocyanate, perchlorate and iodide in human urine using ion chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Analysis of proficiency testing materials and spiked urine indicates that the method is precise (coefficients of variation <5%) and accurate (relative percent differences <7.9%). Analytical response was linear across the physiologically relevant concentration range for the analytes, and adequately sensitive to quantify the analytes in >99% of urine samples tested. Measurement of these four toxicologically-related analytes in one assay will provide useful information for assessing potential linkage between exposure and health effects.

Determination of trace thiocyanate with nano-silver coated multi-walled carbon nanotubes modified glassy carbon electrode

Novel nano-silver coated multi-walled carbon nanotube composites were prepared and used to fabricate a modified electrode. The application of the nano-silver coated multi-walled carbon nanotube composites modified electrode for determination of trace thiocyanate is demonstrated for the first time. The influence of substrate, pH and interference of coexisting substances was investigated for response properties of the electrode. There was a linear relationship at the range 2.5 x 10(-9) to 5 x 10(-8) mol L(-1) and 5 x 10(-8) to 1 x 10(-6) mol L(-1) of thiocyanate with the decrement of anodic DPV peak currents. The limit of detection was 1 x 10(-9) mol L(-1)(S/N=3). The constructed electrode showed excellent reproducibility and stability. Actual urine and saliva samples of smoker and non-smoker were analyzed and satisfactory results were obtained. This method provides a new way to construct any electrode for biological and environmental analysis.

Salicylate Ion-Selective Electrode Based on New Tetranuclear Copper Complexes of O-Vannlin-methionine as Neutral Carriers

A new salicylate-selective PVC membrane electrode based on a new Schiff base tetranuclear copper complex of O-vannlin-methionine (Cu(II)(4)-TVM) as a neutral carrier is described. This electrode displays a preferential potentiometric response to salicylate and an anti-Hofmeister selectivity sequence in the following order: Sal(-) > ClO(4)(-) > SCN(-) > I(-) > NO(2)(-) > NO(3)(-) > Br(-) > Cl(-) > SO(3)(2-) > SO(4)(2-) > H(2)PO(4)(-). The electrode exhibits near-Nernstian potential linear range of 1.5 x 10(-6)-1.0 x 10(-1) M with a detection limit of 8.0 x 10(-7) M and a slope of -56.3 mV/decade in pH 3.0-8.0 of phosphorate buffer solution at 20 degrees C. Thanks to the tetranuclear copper(II) in the carrier, the electrode has the advantages of simplicity, fast response, fair stability and reproducibility and low detection limit. The response mechanism to the electrodes is discussed by the a.c. impedance technique and the UV spectroscopy technique. The electrode can be applied to analyses of medicine and the results obtained are in fair agreement with the results given by a standard method.

Organotin compounds: An ionophore system for fluoride ion recognition

Ion-selective properties were established for membrane electrodes prepared by using organotin compounds of type (L(CN)RSnF2)n, (R=n-Bu (I),=Ph (II)) and (L(CN)SnF3)n (III) (L(CN)=C(6)H4(CH2NMe2)-2). Electrodes formulated with the optimized membranes containing the organotin compounds I-III as ionophores and sodium tetraphenylborate (10-30%) exhibited high selectivity for fluoride over other anions. An electrode prepared with ionophore II using dibutyl phthalate as the plasticizer and 15% sodium tetraphenylborate (NaTPB) as anion additive, possesses the best potentiometric response characteristics. It shows a detection limit of 7.9 x 10(-7) M with a slope of 62.7 mV decade(-1) of activity in buffer solutions of pH 5.5. The interference from other anions is suppressed under this optimized measurement conditions. An entirely non-Hofmeister selectivity sequence (F->CH3COO->Cl->I- approximately Br->ClO4->NO2->NO3->SCN-) with remarkable preference towards fluoride is obtained. The influence on the electrode performances by anion additive was studied, and the possible response mechanism was investigated by UV-vis spectra. The electrode has been used for direct determination of fluoride in drinking mineral water with satisfactory results.

A novel thiocyanate-selective electrode based on a zinc–phthalocyanine complex

A novel thiocyanate (SCN-)-selective PVC membrane electrode based on a zinc-phthalocyanine (ZnPc) complex as neutral carrier is described. The membrane electrode containing ZnPc with 5.1% (w/w) ionophore, 29.2% (w/w) PVC, and 65.7% (w/w) 2-nitrophenyl octyl ether (o-NPOE) as plasticizer displayed an anti-Hofmeister selectivity sequence, SCN- > Sal- > I- > ClO4- > Br- > Cl- > NO3- > NO2- > H2PO4- > SO4(2-)), and exhibited near-Nernstian potential response to thiocyanate ranging from about 1.0 x 10(-1) to 1.0 x 10(-6) mol L(-1) with a detection limit of 7.5 x 10(-7) mol L(-1) and a slope of 58.1+/-0.5 mV per decade in pH 3.0 phosphate buffer solution at 25 degrees C. This preferential response is believed to be associated with the unique coordination between the central metal of the carrier and thiocyanate.

Highly Selective Iodide Electrode Based on the Copper(II)-N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-1,2-bis(p-aminophenoxy)ethane Tetradentate Complex

In this paper, a new PVC-based liquid-membrane anion-selective electrode based on a copper(II) of N,N'-bis(salicylidene)-1,2-bis(p-aminophenoxy)ethane tetradentate complex (Cu(II)BBAP) is described, which displays a preferential potentiometric response to iodide ion at pH 2.0 and an anti-Hofmeister selectivity sequence: I->SCN->ClO4->NO2->H2PO4->NO3->SO4(2-)>Br->Cl-. The electrode exhibits a near-Nernstian potential linear range of 8.2x10(-7)-1.0x10(-1) M with a detection limit of 5.3x10(-7) M and a slope of -58.8 mV per decade. The A.C. impedance technique and the UV/Vis spectroscopy technique were used to analyze the response mechanism. The electrode could be applied to determine iodide in medicine analysis, and the obtained results were fairly satisfactory.

Highly selective oxalate-membrane electrode based on 2,2′-[1,4-butandiyle bis(nitrilo propylidine)]bis-1-naphtholato copper(II)

A new oxalate-selective electrode based on the complex 2,2'-[1,4-butandiyle bis(nitrilo propylidine)]bis-1-naphtholato copper(II) (CuL) as the membrane carrier was developed. The electrode exhibited a good Nernstian slope of -29.2+/-0.6 mV/decade (mean value+/-standard deviation, n=5) and a linear range of 5.0 x 10(-8) to 1.0 x 10(-1)M for oxalate. The limit of detection was 5.0 x 10(-8)M. This electrode represents a fast response time (i.e. 10-15s) and could be used for more than 3 months. The selectivity coefficients were determined by the fixed interference method (FIM) and could be used in the pH range of 2.0-7.0. It was employed as an indicator electrode for the determination of oxalate in water samples.

Thiocyanate Ion-selective PVC Membrane Electrode Based on N,N'-Ethylene-bis(4-methylsalicylidineiminato)nickel(II)

A highly selective poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) membrane electrode based on an N,N'-ethylene-bis(4-methyl-salicylidineiminato) nickel(II) [Ni(EBMSI)] complex as a carrier for a thiocyanate-selective electrode is reported. The influences of the membrane composition, pH and possible interfering anions were investigated based on the response properties of the electrode. The electrode exhibited a good Nernstian slope of -58.9 +/- 0.7 mV decade(-1), over a wide pH range of 3.5 - 8.5 and a linear range of 1.0 x 10(-6) - 1.0 x 10(-1) M for thiocyanate. The detection limit of electrode was 3.1 x 10(-7) M SCN(-). The selectivity coefficients determined by a fixed interference method (FIM) indicate that a good discriminating ability towards the SCN- ion compared to other anions. The proposed sensor had a fast response time of about 5 - 15 s and could be used for at least 3 months without any considerable divergence in the potential. It was applied as an indicator electrode in the titration of thiocyanate with Ag+ and in the potentiometric determination of thiocyanate in saliva and urine samples.

Salicylate poly(vinyl chloride) membrane electrode based on (2-[(E)-2-(4-nitrophenyl) hydrazono]-1-phenyl-2-(2-quinolyl)-1-ethanone) Cu(II)

A new salicylate-selective electrode based on the complex of (2-[(E)-2-(4-nitrophenyl)hydrazono]-1-phenyl-2-(2-quinolyl)-1-ethanone) Cu(II) as the membrane carrier was developed. The electrode exhibited a good Nernstian slope of -59.6+/-1.0 mV/decade and a linear range of 1.0 x 10(-6) to 1.0M for salicylate. The limit of detection was 5.0 x 10(-7) M. The electrode had a fast response time of 10 s and can be used for more than 3 months. The selective coefficients were determined by the fixed interference method and could be used in the pH range of 4.0 to 10.5. The electrode was employed as an indicator electrode for direct determination of salicylate in pharmaceutical and biological samples.