A novel tetrachlorothallate (III)-PVC membrane sensor for the potentiometric determination of thallium (III)

A novel tetrachlorothallate (III) (TCT)-selective membrane sensor consisting of tetrachlorothallate (III)-2,3,5-triphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium ion pair dispersed in a PVC matrix plasticized with dioctylphthatate is described. The electrode shows a stable, near-Nernstian response for 1 x 10(-3) -4 x 10(-6) M thallium (III) at 25degreesC with an anionic slope of 56.5 +/- 0.5 over the pH range 3-6. The lower detection limit and the response time are 2 x 10(-6) M and 30-60 s, respectively. Selectivity coefficients for Tl(III) relative to a number of interfering substances were investigated. There is negligible interference from many cations and anions; however, iodide and bromide are significantly interfere. The determination of 0.5-200 pg ml(-1) of Tl(III) in aqueous solutions shows an average recovery of 99.0% and a mean relative standard deviation of 1.4% at 50.0 mug ml(-1). The direct determination of Tl(III) in spiked wastewater gave results that compare favorably with those obtained by the atomic absorption spectrometric method. The electrode was successfully applied for the determination of thallium in zinc concentrate. Also the tetrachlorothallate electrode has been utilized as an end point indicator electrode for the determination of thallium using potentiometric titration. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.