Nickel ion-selective PVC membrane electrode based on a new t-octyl-calix[6]arene derivative

This study presents a PVC membrane based on 5,11,17,23,29,35-Hexakis-t-octyl-37,38,39,40,41,42-hexakis( N-phenylthiocarbamoylmethoxy) calix[6] arene which is used as an electroactive substance. The electrode reveals a Nernstian response for Ni2+ over a wide pH range with a slope of linear portion (5 x 10(-6)- 1 x 10(-2) M, R = 0.988) of 29.75 +/- 0.2 mV . decade(-1) at 25 degreesC. The electrode's sensitivity is enhanced upon the introduction of sodium tetraphenylborate into the membrane as a negatively charged lipophilic additive. The selectivity coefficients of various interfering ions were determined using the fixed interference method (FIM). The membrane reveals good selectivity for nickel ions over the other metal ions investigated. The lifetime of this electrode is about one month. This electrode has been applied to the determination of nickel ions in wastewater from the electroplating industry.