Synthesis and Analysis of PVC Selective Membrane of Heavy Metal Ions for Water Pollution Detection and Selectivity Study via Separation Solution Method (SSM)

Abstract

Fabrication of electrodes made from Al³⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Na¹⁺ ions were used as a potentiometric electrochemical sensors for water pollution detection by heavy metals. In this work, the sensor device consisted of Zn, Pb, Na, and Al ions as ion exchangers and polyvinyl chloride PVC and tris (2-ethylhexyl) phosphate as plasticisers. The response properties of these electrodes, calibration curve, lifetime, and limit of detection were studied. Interactions against monovalent, divalent, and trivalent ions like Al³⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Na¹⁺ were also investigated through selectivity. The limits of detection of Al, Zn, Pb, and Na were 0.0894, 0.819, 0.0037, and 16.73, and the correlation coefficients were about 0.9595, 0.9627, 0.9744, and 0.9595, and the lifetimes were approximately 24, 25, 25, and 30 days, respectively. A short time was required to reach the equilibrium potential. The system's small size, inexpensive materials, and ability to measure speed and accuracy make it ideal. Therefore, the electrochemical sensor can be applied to quantitatively determine heavy metal ions in river water samples with satisfactory results.