Evaluation of an ammonium ionophore for use in poly(vinyl chloride) membrane ion-selective electrodes: solvent mediator effects.

A macrotetrolide nonactin-based ammonium ionophore (AI) preparation containing 25% nonactin optimized for use in liquid membrane ion-selective electrodes was investigated for its possible use in poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) matrix membrane-type electrodes. Nine different plasticizing solvent mediators were employed in the ammonium ion-selective membranes with PVC and the AI preparation. Near Nernstian responses were observed in aqueous solution with electrodes fabricated with dioctyl sebacate-, 2-nitrophenyl phenyl ether-, dibutyl sebacate-, trioctyl phosphate-, dioctyl adipate-, dioctyl phenyl phosphonate- and 2-nitrophenyl octyl ether-plasticized membranes. The responses of these electrodes were found to improve in the presence of a background concentration of non-interfering calcium ions.