A New Cone Shaped Asymmetrically Substituted Calix[4]arene as an ExcellentIonophore in Construction of Ag(I) ion-Selective Membrane Electrode

A PVC membrane electrode for silver ion based on a new cone shaped calix[4]arene (CASCA) as membrane carrier was prepared. The electrode exhibits a Nernstian response for $Ag^+$ over a wide concentration range ($1.0{\times}10^{-1}-8.0{\times}10^{-6}$M) with a slope of 58.2 {\pm}$ 0.5 mV per decade. The limit of detection of the sensor is $5.0{\times}10^{-6}$M. The sensor has a very fast response time (~5 s) in the concentration range of ${\leq}=1.0{\times}10^{-3}$ M, and a useful working pH range of 4.0-9.5. The proposed sensor displays excellent discriminating ability toward $Ag^+$ ion with respect to common alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions. It was used as an indicator electrode in potentiometric titration of $Ag^+$ with EDTA and in direct determination of silver ion in wastewater of silver electroplating.