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ISE: A cost effective way to add ion selective electrodes to the general chemistry laboratory experience. Steven L Brown & Cynthia Runkel Department of Chemistry University of Arizona. Why Teach ISEs?. Introduction to sensor technology An affordable instrumental technique
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ISE: A cost effective way to add ion selective electrodes to the general chemistry laboratory experience. Steven L Brown & Cynthia Runkel Department of Chemistry University of Arizona
Why Teach ISEs? • Introduction to sensor technology • An affordable instrumental technique • Demonstration of electrochemical measurement
How We Use ISEs • Measurement of [Ca2+]. • One component of the “Water Project”. • Available for Cu2+ or Pb2+ for the Make-your-own-ISE project.
History of Gen Chem ISEs at Arizona • Early 80’s added an experiment using wire-coated PVC electrodes. • By early 90’s, replaced with “store bought electrodes”. • In 2001, commercial electrodes replaced with PVC film electrodes.
The Water Project • Students use four techniques over three weeks to create a cation profile of water samples they provide. • ISEs are used to determine [Ca2+].
Assignment • Students prepare a series of standards. • Students measure standards and samples. • Plot results and determine [Ca2+] concentration.
The Electrodes • Use IJ ISE Combination Ion Electrode manufactured by Ionode PTY LTD of Tennyson, Brisbane, Australia. • Bodies contain a Ag/AgCl reference electrode and an open end. • Tips are made by preproom staff. • Open tube filled with “filling solution” and covered with a tip.
Manufacture • Cut Tygon tips • Make “cocktail” • Dissolve PVC in THF • Add plasticizers and ionophores • Tips dipped and allowed to dry • Re-dipped twice more. • Tips inspected for bubbles. Bad tips discarded. • Completed tips stored in jar (no special conditions required). • Electrodes assembled as needed.
Fluka Our source for the cocktails recipies and the cocktails to make them is Fluka. http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/Brands/Fluka___Riedel_Home/Analytical/Sensoric_Applications.html#iono
Manpower costs • Time required to make 40 tips – xxx employee hours • Pre-calibration time – 0 hours
Reliability • 40 tips made in the Spring • 30 of these are still usable in the Summer • 25 are still usable in the Fall
Linearity of student plots • 42 with R2 values less than .9900 • 49 with R2 values greater than .9900