Light-driven ion extraction of polymeric membranes for on-demand Cu(II) sensing

• Published in: Analytica chimica acta 2021-09, Vol.1176, p.338756-338756, Article 338756
• Main Authors: Zhang, Han, Liu, Lining, Qi, Longbin, Ding, Jiawang, Qin, Wei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Coulometry; Ion detection; Light-Driven; Polymeric membrane; Potentiometry
• ISSN: 0003-2670; 1873-4324
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2021.338756

The modulation of the ion-fluxes across a polymeric membrane is important for designing attractive methodologies. As an alternative to the commonly used dynamic electrochemistry approaches, light can be used as an external stimulus and provides a very convenient way to manipulate ions release and/or extraction into a polymeric membrane. Herein, we designed a solid-contact polymeric membrane ion-selective sensor that exhibits dynamic response by light irradiation at 375 nm. The electrode membrane contains a light-sensitive lipophilic salt (bis(4-tert-butylphenyl)iodonium tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate (R+-R-, BTDT-TFPB) instead of traditional ion exchanger. Under light illumination, the decomposition of the lipophilic cation makes the membrane with ion-exchange properties. The solid-contact ion-selective electrodes based on potentiometry and constant potential coulometry have been explored for direct ion sensing. Copper was selected as a mode analyte and can be determined at micromole levels. The proposed dynamic ion sensors show promise for on-demand ion sensing. A solid-contact polymeric membrane ion-selective sensor can exhibits dynamic response by light irradiation at 375 nm. Potentiometry and constant potential coulometry can be explored for direct ion sensing. [Display omitted] •A potentiometric sensor that exhibits dynamic response by light irradiation.•Light-driven ion extraction of polymeric membranes can be used for ion detection.•Potentiometry and constant potential coulometry can be used for direct ion sensing.