Sol-gel synthesis of poly(o-toluidine)@Sn(II)silicate/CNT composites for ion selective membrane electrodes

Advanced poly(o-toluidine)@Sn(II)silicate/CNT nanocomposites were synthesized using sol-gel of Sn(II) silicate by varying the mixing volume ratio concentration of inorganic reactant with a fixed mixing volume ratio, i.e., 1:1, of organic polymer. Physico-chemical characterization was conducted using SEM, XRD, FTIR, UV-Vis and TGA. Ion-exchange capacity distribution studies were also conducted to determine the ion-exchange capabilities. The distribution studies revealed high selectivity for Hg2+, which is an important environmental pollutant. Due to the selective nature of the composite, an ion selective membrane electrode was designed for determining Hg(II) ions in solutions. The electrode potential remains unchanged within a pH range of 4.0-7.0 and at a working concentration range of 1 x 10(-1) M to 1 x 10(-6) M for Hg2+, ions and a Nerstian slope of 32.14 mV per decade change in Hg2+ ion concentration. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.