UO₂²⁺ Ion-Selective Membrane Electrode Based on a Naphthol-Derivative Schiff's Base 2,2'-[1,2-Ethandiyl bis(nitriloethylidene)]bis(1-naphthalene)

A new PVC membrane electrode for $UO_2^{2+}$ ion based on 2,2'-[1,2-ethanediyl bis (nitriloethylidene)]bis(1-naphthalene) as a suitable ionophore was prepared. The electrode exhibites a Nernstian response for $UO_2^{2+}$ ion over a wide concentration range ($1.0{\times}10^{-1}-1.0{\times}10^{-7}$M) with a slope of 28.5 ${\pm}$ 0.8 mV/decade. The limit of detection is $7.0{\times}10^{-8}$M. The electrode has a response time of < 20 s and a useful working pH range of 3-4. The proposed membrane sensor shows good discriminating abilities towards $UO_2^{2+}$ ion with regard to several alkali, alkaline earth transition and heavy metal ions. It was successfully used to the recovery of uranyl ion from, tap water and, as an indicator electrode, in potentiometric titration of $UO_2^{2+}$ ion with Piroxycam.