Electrochemical synthesis of tetraphenylborate doped polypyrrole and its applications in designing a novel zinc and potassium ion sensor

Abstract

The electrochemical synthesis of tetraphenylborate (TPB) ion doped polypyrrole is reported. The electrochemical polymerization of ion exchanger doped polypyrrole is carried out in dry acetonitrile. The polypyrrole synthesized under present conditions is characterized by scanning electron microscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The applications of new ion exchanger doped polypyrrole in the development of solid-state ion sensors are reported. The ion sensing properties and construction of new conducting polymer based Zn++ ion and potassium ion sensors are described. The Zn++ ion sensor is developed by TPB doped polymer modified electrode itself whereas K+ ion sensor is developed by laying down of another layer of dibenzo-18-crown-6 impregnated plasticized Polyvinylchloride (PVC) matrix membrane. The response curve on Zn++ ion sensing with and without polymer layer is also studied and reported. An effort on selective sensing of Zn++ ion is also made and the data on Ni++, Co++, Pb++, and Mg++ ions are reported using polymer modified electrode. Similarly the effect of Na+ and NH4+ ions on the response of K+ ion sensing is also reported. The contribution of tetraphenylborate in designing these ions sensors are discussed.