ISSN 1017-2548(Print)
ISSN 2234-8530(Online)
Volume 51, Number 4
JKCSEZ 51(4)
August 20, 2007 

A new ion selective PVC membrane electrode is developed as a sensor for mercury(II) ions based on bis(benzoylacetone) propylenediimine (H₂(BA)₂PD) as an ionophore. The electrode shows good response characteristics and displays, a linear Emf vs. log[Hg2⁺] response over the concentration range of 1.0×10^-6 to 1.0×10^-1 M Hg(II) with a Nernstian slope of 29.8±0.75 mV per decade and with a detection limit of 2.2×10^-7 M Hg(II) over the pH range of 2.5-11.5. Selectivity concentrations for Hg(II) relative to a number of potential interfering ions were also investigated. The sensor is highly selective for Hg(II) ions over a large number of cations with different charge. The sensor has been found to be chemically inert showing a fast response time of 60 s and was used over a period of 3 months with a good reproducibility (S = 0.27 mV). The electrode was successfully applied to determine mercury(II) in real samples with satisfactory results.