Improved Calcium Ion-Selective Electrode Based on a Neutral Carrier

The performance of a liquid-membrane electrode using a synthetic, neutral carrier in o-nitro-phenyl-n-octyl-ether as membrane component in a PVC matrix, in the presence of sodium tetra-phenyl-borate, is described. Selectivities, working range, lifetime and anion interference are discussed. The electrode makes possible the measurement of calcium ion activities in the range 10−1M to 10−6M in unbuffered and in the range 10−1M to 10−8M in calcium buffered systems respectively. The selectivities of calcium over protons, magnesium, sodium and zinc are 25,000, 26,000, 2,800 and 7,100, respectively, and are far superior than those reported for other calcium sensors.