Thiosemicarbazone–based highly selective potentiometric sensor for the determination of copper(II) ions

Thiosemicarbazone derivatives are widely used as ionophores in potentiometric ion selective sensors. In this study, a thiosemicarbazone derivative molecule was synthesized and its ionophore properties were investigated. Polymer membrane sensors using the synthesized molecule as ionophore were prepared with different plasticizers. The sensors exhibited very high selectivity towards copper(II) ions over different cationic species. The newly developed copper(II)–selective sensor had a Nernstian response of 27.8±2.9 mV/decade in a wide concentration range of 1.0×10^-1–1.0×10^-5 M and a low detection limit of 8.23×10^-6 M. The proposed sensor had a fast response time (<5s), a wide pH working range (5.0–10.0) and good reproducibility. The prepared sensor was applied in various water samples and was able to determine copper(II) ions with very high recoveries.