Tracing the history of selective ion sensors

Past and present of electrochemical science in Hungary

The electrochemistry-related scientific activities in Hungary over the past 3 decades are reviewed. In the first section, we summarize those research areas that are already ceased; in the next section, the ongoing research is discussed; finally, the trends and outlook are highlighted. A special emphasis is put on new experimental methods elaborated in the country.

Potentiometric urea biosensors

Excess nitrogen in the body is converted to urea in the liver, and urea is disposed as a waste product in urine. Urea concentration can change in body fluids such as blood due to the presence of certain disorders. Therefore, the determination of urea is of high importance in various areas including medical diagnosis, as well as food quality control and environmental monitoring. Potentiometric sensors have certain advantages over their alternatives, such as rapidity, portability, cost effectiveness, high sensitivity, easy operation and simple apparatus. Potentiometric urea biosensors based on enzyme urease have been developed using various materials including nanoparticles and films, and also using different methodologies. In this review, we covered potentiometric urea biosensors reported in the literature, and touched upon their certain structure characteristics and performance parameters including detection limit, working concentration range, response time and lifetime, all of which are of practical importance. Each potentiometric urea biosensor has its own advantages and drawbacks, thus the selection of appropriate method depends on the sample to be analyzed, its urea concentration range and other requirements of the particular application. Further research is needed in order to optimize the performance of these devices and to broaden their applicability.

Highly reproducible solid contact ion selective electrodes: Emerging opportunities for potentiometry - A review

The solid contact ion-selective electrodes (SC-ISEs) have been extensively studied in the field of ion sensing as they offer the possibility of miniaturization, are relatively inexpensive in comparison to other analytical techniques and allow straightforward and routine analyses of ions in a number of clinical, environmental and industrial process samples. In recent years, significant interest has grown in the development of SC-ISEs with well-defined interfacialpotentials at the membrane, solid contact, and substrate electrode interfaces. This has resulted in interesting SC-ISEs exhibiting high electrode-to-electrode potential reproducibility, for those made in a single batch of electrodes, some approaching or exceeding those observed in liquid-contact ISEs. The advancement in the potential reproducibility of SC-ISEs has been partially achieved by scrutinizing insufficiently reproducible fabrication methods of SC-ISEs, or by introducing novel control measures or modifiers to components of the ISEs. This paper provides an overview of the methods as well as the challenges in establishing and maintaining reproducible potentials during the fabrication and use of novel SC-ISEs. The rules outlined in the works reviewed may form the basis of further development of cost-effective, user-friendly, limited calibration or calibration-free potentiometric SC-ISEs to achieve reliable ion analyses here and now.

Recent advances in solid-contact ion-selective electrodes: functional materials, transduction mechanisms, and development trends

This article presents a comprehensive overview of recent progress in the design and applications of solid-contact ion-selective electrodes (SC-ISEs).

Theoretical Treatment of Ion Transfers in Two Polarizable Interface Systems When the Analyte Has Access to Both Interfaces

A new theory is presented to tackle the study of transfer processes of hydrophilic ions in two polarizable interface systems when the analyte is initially present in both aqueous phases. The treatment is applied to macrointerfaces (linear diffusion) and microholes (highly convergent diffusion), obtaining analytical equations for the current response in any voltammetric technique. The novel equations predict two signals in the current-potential curves that are symmetric when the compositions of the aqueous phases are identical while asymmetries appear otherwise. The theoretical results show good agreement with the experimental behavior of the "double transfer voltammograms" reported by Dryfe et al. in cyclic voltammetry (CV) ( Anal. Chem. 2014 , 86 , 435 - 442 ) as well as with cyclic square wave voltammetry (cSWV) experiments performed in the current work. The theoretical treatment is also extended to the situation where the target ion is lipophilic and initially present in the organic phase. The theory predicts an opposite effect of the lipophilicity of the ion on the shape of the voltammograms, which is validated experimentally via both CV and cSWV. For the above two cases, simple and manageable expressions and diagnosis criteria are derived for the qualitative and quantitative study of ion lipophilicity. The ion-transfer potentials can be easily quantified from the separation between the two signals making use of explicit analytical equations.

Mechanism of ion transfer in supported liquid membrane systems: electrochemical control over membrane distribution

A polarization study carried out on a thin supported liquid membrane separating two aqueous compartments is presented. Transfer of both the ionized and uncharged form of an organic tracer dye, rhodamine B ([9-(2-carboxyphenyl)-6-diethylamino-3-xanthenylidene]-diethylammonium chloride), across supported liquid membranes composed of one of 1-octanol (octan-1-ol), 1,9-decadiene (deca-1,9-diene), 1,2-dichlorobenzene, or nitrophenyl octyl ether (1-(2-nitrophenoxy)octane) was studied using cyclic voltammetry and UV-vis absorption spectrophotometry. Concentration analysis indicates that the high membrane concentration of rhodamine B determines the ionic transfer observed via voltammetry, which is consistent with the low aqueous ionic concentration and large membrane/aqueous distribution of the molecule. The observed double-transfer voltammogram, although it has been largely neglected in previous literature, is a logical consequence of the presence of two liquid-liquid interfaces and is rationalized in terms of ion transfer across the two interfaces on either side of the membrane and supported by voltammograms obtained for a series of ions of varied lipophilicity. The bipolar nature of the voltammetric response offers an effective way of mass transport control via changing polarity of the applied voltage and finds immediate use in extraction, purification, and separation applications.

Electrochemical detection of pyocyanin in nanochannels with integrated palladium hydride reference electrodes

Miniaturized and integrated components for electrochemical detection in micro- and nano-fluidic devices are of great interest as they directly yield an electrical signal and promise sensitive, label-free, real-time detection. One of the challenges facing electrochemical sensing is the lack of reliable reference electrode options. This paper describes the fabrication and characterization of a microscale palladium hydride reference electrode in a single microfabrication step. The reference electrode was integrated inside of a nanoscale constriction along with a gold working electrode to create a complete electrochemical sensor. After charging the palladium electrode with hydrogen, the device was used to detect pyocyanin concentrations from 1-100 μM, with a 0.597 micromolar detection limit. This is the first time that a palladium hydride reference electrode has been integrated with a microfabricated electrochemical sensor in a nanofluidic setup. The device was then used over the course of 8 days to measure pyocyanin produced by four different Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains in growth media. By utilizing square wave and differential pulse voltammetry, the redox active molecule, pyocyanin, was selectively detected in a complex solution without the use of any electrode surface modification.

Tattoo-based potentiometric ion-selective sensors for epidermal pH monitoring

This article presents the fabrication and characterization of novel tattoo-based solid-contact ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) for non-invasive potentiometric monitoring of epidermal pH levels. The new fabrication approach combines commercially available temporary transfer tattoo paper with conventional screen printing and solid-contact polymer ISE methodologies. The resulting tattoo-based potentiometric sensors exhibit rapid and sensitive response to a wide range of pH changes with no carry-over effects. Furthermore, the tattoo ISE sensors endure repetitive mechanical deformation, which is a key requirement of wearable and epidermal sensors. The flexible and conformal nature of the tattoo sensors enable them to be mounted on nearly any exposed skin surface for real-time pH monitoring of the human perspiration, as illustrated from the response during a strenuous physical activity. The resulting tattoo-based ISE sensors offer considerable promise as wearable potentiometric sensors suitable for diverse applications.

Ion-specific nutrient management in closed systems: the necessity for ion-selective sensors in terrestrial and space-based agriculture and water management systems

The ability to monitor and control plant nutrient ions in fertigation solutions, on an ion-specific basis, is critical to the future of controlled environment agriculture crop production, be it in traditional terrestrial settings (e.g., greenhouse crop production) or as a component of bioregenerative life support systems for long duration space exploration. Several technologies are currently available that can provide the required measurement of ion-specific activities in solution. The greenhouse sector has invested in research examining the potential of a number of these technologies to meet the industry's demanding requirements, and although no ideal solution yet exists for on-line measurement, growers do utilize technologies such as high-performance liquid chromatography to provide off-line measurements. An analogous situation exists on the International Space Station where, technological solutions are sought, but currently on-orbit water quality monitoring is considerably restricted. This paper examines the specific advantages that on-line ion-selective sensors could provide to plant production systems both terrestrially and when utilized in space-based biological life support systems and how similar technologies could be applied to nominal on-orbit water quality monitoring. A historical development and technical review of the various ion-selective monitoring technologies is provided.

Evaluation of tetracationic salts as gas-phase ion-pairing agents for the detection of trivalent anions in positive mode electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

In previous studies, new electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) approaches were developed for the highly sensitive detection of singly and doubly charged anions in positive mode ESI-MS by using specially synthesized dicationic and tricationic ion-pairing agents, respectively. By detecting the positively charged ion complex in the positive mode, limits of detection (LODs) for the anions can be lowered by several magnitudes. In this work, we used eighteen newly synthesized tetracationic ion-pairing agents, constructed with different geometries, linkages and cation moieties, for the detection of eighteen triply charged anions of different structural motifs. The LODs for these anions were from ten to several thousand times lower in the positive selective ion monitoring (SIM) mode than in the negative mode. These tetracationic agents also were shown to be useful for the detection of -1 and -2 anions. In addition, the LODs for -3 anions can be further lowered by monitoring the product fragments of the ion-pairing complexes in the single reaction monitoring (SRM) mode.

Polymeric membrane electrodes with high nitrite selectivity based on rhodium(III) porphyrins and salophens as ionophores

Several porphyrin and salophen complexes with Rh(III) are examined as ionophores to prepare nitrite selective polymeric membrane electrodes. All ionophores tested exhibit preferred selectivity toward nitrite anion. Enhanced potentiometric nitrite selectivity is observed in the presence of either lipophilic anionic as well as cationic sites within the membranes, suggesting that the ionophores can function via either a charged or a neutral carrier response mechanism. Among a range of complexes and membrane formulations examined, optimal nitrite selectivity and reversible response down to 5 x 10(-6) M is achieved using Rh(III)-tetra(t-butylphenylporphyrin) as the ionophore in the presence of lipophilic cationic sites in plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) membrane. Response times are substantially longer than typical membrane electrodes apparently because of a slow nitrite ligation reaction with Rh(III); however, a significant improvement in dynamic EMF response can be realized by optimizing the membrane formulation and increasing the temperature. The selectivity observed with these membranes is greater than the best nitrite selective electrodes reported to date in the literature based on lipophilic Co(III)-corrin complexes, allowing the new nitrite electrodes to be utilized to determine the level of nitrite in meats with good correlation to the colorimetric Griess assay method.

Subnanomolar Detection Limit Application of Ion-Selective Electrodes with Three-Dimensionally Ordered Macroporous (3DOM) Carbon Solid Contacts

Solid-contact ion-selective electrodes (SC-ISEs) can exhibit very low detection limits and, in contrast to conventional ISEs, do not require an optimization of the inner filling solution. This work shows that subnanomolar detection limits can also be achieved with SC-ISEs with three-dimensionally ordered macroporous (3DOM) carbon contacts, which have been shown recently to exhibit excellent long-term stabilities and good resistance to the interferences from oxygen and light. The detection limit of 3DOM carbon-contacted electrodes with plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) as membrane matrix can be improved with a high polymer content of the sensing membrane, a large ratio of ionophore and ionic sites, and conditioning with a low concentration of analyte ions. This permits detection limits as low as 1.6×10(-7) M for K(+) and 4.0×10(-11) M for Ag(+).

Evaluation of dicationic reagents for their use in detection of anions using positive ion mode ESI-MS via gas phase ion association

Twenty-three different dications were investigated for their effectiveness in pairing with singly charged anions, thereby allowing the electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) detection of anions as positively charged complexes. Nitrate, iodide, cyanate, monochloroacetate, benzenesulfonate, and perfluoro-octanoate were chosen as representative test anions as they differ in mass, size-to-charge ratio, chaotropic nature, and overall complexity. Detection limits were found using direct injection of the anion into a carrier liquid containing the dication. Detection limits are given for all six anions with each of the 23 dications. Each anion was easily detected at the ppb (microg/L) and often the ppt (ng/L) levels using certain dicationic reagents. The ability of dicationic reagents to pair with anions and produce ESI-MS signals varied tremendously. Indeed, only a few dications can be considered broadly useful and able to produce sensitive results. Liquid chromatography (LC)-ESI-MS also was investigated and used to show how varying the dicationic reagent produced significantly different peak intensities. Also, the use of tandem mass spectrometry can lead to even greater sensitivity when using imidazolium based dications.

Sensitivity and working range of backside calibration potentiometry

A new direction in potentiometric sensing, termed backside calibration potentiometry, was recently introduced. It makes use of the fact that the stir effect disappears in the absence of an ion-ionophore complex concentration gradient across supported liquid ion-selective membranes. This method is especially suitable for measurements in which recalibration in the sample is not feasible, such as in remote monitoring applications. Here, a theoretical model is established to predict the working concentration range of the method. Lead(II)-selective Celgard membranes were used here with H+ as the dominant interfering ions. The emf difference for stirred and unstirred solutions was measured, and the magnitude of this emf change as a function of the sample Pb2+ concentration was found to exhibit a bell shape that spans approximately 3 orders of magnitude. The concentration of interfering ions and the selectivity of the membrane were demonstrated to be important factors that affect the working range. Smaller ratios of primary ion concentrations at both aqueous sides of the membrane gave smaller emf difference values, and emf changes could still be observed with a logarithmic concentration ratio of 0.05. All experimental results correlated satisfactorily with the theoretical model.

Energy-dispersive and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electron microscopy of new quininium-plastic membrane electrodes

New quininium (Qn) plastic membrane electrodes of the conventional type were constructed and characterized. They are based on incorporation of Qn-reineckate (QnRn) ion-pair, Qn-phosphotungstate (Qn3-PT), or Qn-phosphomolybdate (Qn3PM) ion associate into a poly(vinyl chloride) membrane. The electrodes are selective for Qn and have been successfully used for the determination of Qn2SO4 in pharmaceutical tablets. Nevertheless, they showed, as almost all other ion-selective electrodes, limited life times. Energy dispersive- (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), as well as electron microscopy were applied to investigate the cause of this limitation in the life times of the electrodes. The results indicated that the electrodes lose their activity after prolonged soaking as a result of leaching of the ion exchanger from the membranes into the test solution in addition to deformation at the surface of the expired electrode.

Backside calibration potentiometry: ion activity measurements with selective supported liquid membranes by calibrating from the inner side of the membrane

In direct potentiometry, the magnitude of the measured potentials is used to determine the composition of the sample. While this places rather formidable demands on the required reproducibility of the associated potential measurements, typically on the order of microvolts, in vitro clinical analyses of blood samples are today successfully performed with direct potentiometry using ion-selective electrodes (ISEs). Unfortunately, most other analytical situations do not permit the sensor to be recalibrated every few minutes, as in environmental monitoring or in vivo measurements, and direct potentiometry is often bound to fail as an accurate method in these circumstances. This paper introduces a novel direction for potentiometric sensing, termed backside calibration potentiometry. Chemical asymmetries across thin supported liquid ISE membranes are assessed by determining the direction of potential drift upon changing the stirring rate on either side of the membrane. Disappearance of this drift indicates the disappearance of concentration gradients across the membrane and is used to determine the sample composition if the solution composition at the backside of the membrane and the interfering ion concentration in the sample are known. For practical determinations, the concentration of either the primary or the interfering ion is varied in the reference solution until the stirring effect disappears. The procedure is demonstrated with a Ca2+-selective membrane using Ba2+ as the dominant interfering ion. Another example includes the determination of Pb2+ in environmental samples where the pH is adjusted to a known level. At pH 4.0, H+ turns out to be the dominant interfering ion. The practical applicability of the method is shown with different environmental water samples, for which the results obtained with the novel method are compared with those obtained by traditional calibration using standard additions. The limitations of the novel method in terms of accuracy and applicable concentration ranges are discussed.

Monolithic capillary-based ion-selective electrodes

Poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene)-based monolithic capillaries of an inner diameter of 200 mum and a length of 2-5 mm have been used to construct Ca2+-, Ag+-, and Na+-selective electrodes. The membranes consist of a solution of ionophore and ion exchanger in bis(2-ethylhexyl) sebacate or 2-nitrophenyl octyl ether, which are used as plasticizers in conventional PVC-based membranes. With capillaries of low porosity, the potentiometric responses down to 10(-8)-10(-9) M solutions do not depend on the composition of the internal solution, which indicates a strong suppression of transmembrane ion fluxes. Thus, no tedious optimization of the inner solution is required with monolith ISEs. The lower detection limits of Ag+- and Ca2+-ISEs are comparable to the best ones obtained earlier with optimized inner solutions. Additionally, a monolithic Na+-selective ISE has been obtained exhibiting a lower detection limit of 3 x 10(-8) M Na+. With monolithic capillaries of higher porosity and fused-silica GC capillaries, the transmembrane flux effects are noticeable but still significantly smaller than with conventional PVC membranes.

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.

Modern potentiometry

For most chemists, potentiometry with ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) primarily means pH measurements with a glass electrode. Those interested in clinical analysis might know that ISEs, routinely used for the determination of blood electrolytes, have a market size comparable to that of glass electrodes. It is even less well known that potentiometry went through a silent revolution during the past decade. The lower detection limit and the discrimination of interfering ions (the selectivity coefficients) have been improved in many cases by factors up to 10(6) and 10(10), respectively, thus allowing their application in fields such as environmental trace analysis and potentiometric biosensing. The determination of complex formation constants for lipophilic hosts and ionic guests is also covered in this Minireview.

Multispectral imaging of ion transport in neutral carrier-based cation-selective membranes

BACKGROUND

High-resolution spectroscopic imaging of the cross section of ion-selective membranes during real-time electrochemical measurements is termed spectroelectrochemical microscopy (SpECM). SpECM is aimed for optimizing the experimental conditions in mass transport controlled ion-selective electrode (ISE) membranes for improved detection limit.

METHODS

The SpECM measurements are performed in a thin layer electrochemical cell. The key element of the cell is a membrane strip spacer ring assembly which forms a two compartment electrochemical cell. The cell is placed onto the stage of a microscope and the membrane strip is positioned in the center of the field of view. A slice of the image is focused onto the entrance slit of the imaging spectrometer.

RESULTS

SpECM has been used for the determination of the diffusion coefficients of different membrane ingredients and for the quantitative assessment of the charged site concentrations in ISE membranes and membrane plasticizers. In addition, changes in the concentration profiles of the ionophore (free and complexed) and charged mobile sites inside the ISE membranes are documented upon the application of large external voltages.

CONCLUSIONS

This account demonstrates the power and advantages of SpECM, a multispectral imaging method for investigations of mass transport processes in ISE membranes during electrochemical measurements.

Junction-less reference electrode for potentiometric measurements obtained by buffering pH in a conducting polymer matrix

A reference electrode for potentiometric measurements based on conducting polymers (CP) doped with pH buffering ligands is described. Both the CPs and doping ligands are selected and adjusted in such a way that possible ionic and redox sensitivity is hampered, while the pH buffering property of the CP film is exposed. In this way, the electric potential drop at the conducting polymer|solution interface is stabilized and close to constant over a certain pH range. The electrode behaves as a pseudo-reference electrode in amphiprotic solvents or their mixtures, e.g. water-alcohol mixtures. For the first time titration of sulfates with lead(ii) in water-methanol solution using two "plastic" electrodes, CP-based Pb(2+)-sensitive indicator and CP-based reference electrode, is shown. Because the electrode is junction-less it may easily be miniaturized and maintained and thus may serve in frontier applications of sensors.

Potentiometric sensors for trace-level analysis

This review summarizes recent progress in the development and application of potentiometric sensors with limits of detection (LODs) in the range 10(-8)-10(-11) M. These LODs relate to total sample concentrations and are defined according to a definition unique to potentiometric sensors. LODs calculated according to traditional protocols (three times the standard deviation of the noise) yield values that are two orders of magnitude lower. We are targeting this article at analytical chemists who are non-specialists in the development of such sensors so that this technology may be adopted by a growing number of research groups to solve real-world analytical problems.We discuss the unique response features of potentiometric sensors and compare them to other analytical techniques, emphasizing that the choice of the method must depend on the problem of interest. We discuss recent directions in sensor design and development and present a list of 23 sensors with low LODs, with references. We give recent examples where potentiometric sensors have been used to solve trace-level analytical problems, including the speciation of lead and copper ions in drinking water, the measurement of free copper in sea water, and the uptake of cadmium ions by plant roots as a function of their speciation.