An Asymetric Lutetium(III) Microsensor Based on N‐(2‐Furylmethylene) Pyridine‐2,6‐Diamine for Determination of Lutetium(III) Ions

Abstract

In this work, for the first time, we introduce a highly selective and sensitive lutetium(III) micro‐sensor. N‐(2‐furylmethylene) pyridine‐2,6‐diamine (FPD) was used as a membrane‐active component to prepare a highly sensitive Lu(III)‐selective polymeric membrane microelectrode. Theoretical calculations for FPD, lutetium and some other metal ions were carried out and selectivity toward Lu(III) ions was confirmed. The best performance was achieved by a membrane composed of 32% PVC, 60% o‐nitrophenyloctyl ether, 4% potassium tetrakis (p‐chlorophenyl) borate (KTpClPB) and 4% FPD. The electrode exhibits a Nernstian response for Lu(III) ions over a particular concentration range (1.0×l0⁻¹¹−1.0×10⁻⁶ mol l⁻¹) with a slope of 20.5±0.2 mV decade⁻¹. The detection limit is 3.0×10⁻¹¹ mol l⁻¹ while the sensor presents a response time of <10 s and a useful working pH range of 4.0–10.5. As a matter of fact, the proposed sensor discriminates relatively well for Lu(III) ions in compare to common alkali, alkaline earth, heavy metals and, specially, lanthanide ions. The sensor was successfully applied as an indicator electrode in a potentiometric titration of Lu(III) ions with EDTA. In addition, it was used for determination of lutetium in some soil samples where domestic devices were stored. The proposed sensor was evaluated for Lu(III) ions determination in some binary mixtures.

Keywords:

• Lutetium(III)
• ion‐selective microelectrode
• N‐(2‐furylmethylene) pyridine‐2,6‐diamine
• potentiometry
• PVC membrane

Acknowledgments

Authors are grateful to the University of Tehran Council for providing the financial support of this study