A Copper(II) Ion-Selective Potentiometric Sensor Based on N,N′,N″,N′′′-Tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane in PVC Matrix

The simple PVC‐based membrane containing N,N′,N″,N′′′‐tetrakis(2‐pyridylmethyl)‐1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane (tpmc) as an ionophore and dibutyl phthalate as a plasticizer, directly coated on a glassy carbon electrode was examined as a new sensor for Cu2+ ions. The potential response was linear within the concentration range of 1.0×10−1–1.0×10−6 M with a Nernstian slope of 28.8 mV/decade and detection limit of 7.0×10−7 M. The electrode was used in aqueous solutions over a wide pH range (1.3–6). The sensor exhibited excellent selectivity for Cu2+ ion over a number of cations and was successfully used in its determination in real samples.