Determination of Fluoride Ions in Mouthwash Samples by a PVC Membrane Samarium(III) Sensor

Abstract

In this study, a new ion-selective electrode for Sm³⁺ is described, illustrating 2-[(E)-1-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)methylidene]-1-hydrazinecarbothioamide (PMH) in a poly(vinylchloride) (PVC) membrane with nitrobenzene (NB) as a plasticizer and sodium tetraphenyl borate (NaTPB) as an anionic additive. The proposed sensor exhibited a Nernstian response for Sm³⁺ ions over a wide concentration range between 1.0 × 10⁻² and 1 × 10⁻⁶ M, with a detection limit of 5.2 × 10⁻⁷ M in the pH range of 4.2–8.5. Moreover, the sensor displayed the Nernstian slope of 19.8 ± 0.3 mV per decade, having a fast response time within 10 s over the entire concentration range. This electrode presented very good selectivity and sensitivity toward the Sm³⁺ ions over a wide variety of cations, including alkali, alkaline earth, transition-metal, and heavy-metal ions. It was used as an indicator electrode in the potentiometric titration of Sm³⁺ ions with EDTA. The membrane sensor was also applied to the determination of fluoride ions in mouthwash samples.

Keywords:

• Ion-selective electrode
• potentiometry
• PVC membrane
• sensor

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the kind financial support provided by the Research Council of Quchan University for the preparation of this study.

Notes

^a Proposed Sm³⁺ sensor.

^b Results are based on three measurements.