New polyacrylate-based lead(II) ion-selective electrodes

A novel polyacrylate-based matrix for potentiometric ion-selective electrodes has been developed. Isododecyl acrylate, acrylonitrile and hexanedioldiacrylate co-monomers along with the thermo-initiator 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone were used as polymeric matrix components. A lead(II)-selective electrode (Pb-ISE) was constructed using the above matrix. The electrode showed comparable analytical performance in the micromolar range to Pb-ISEs with conventional poly(vinyl chloride)-based membranes containing neutral ionophore and with solid-state membranes containing a mixture of lead sulphide and silver sulphide. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy studies revealed much lower ion mobility in the polyacrylate membrane than in plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) membranes. This result additionally indicates the possibility of obtaining a lower detection limit for ISEs using the new acrylate matrix.