Electrochemical Sensing Studies of AsO4−3 Selective Poly(methyl methacrylate)–Zinc Oxide Fibrous Anion Exchanger

Polymethylmethacrylate-ZnO (PMMA-ZnO) fibrous anion exchanger was prepared by solid-gel method. The structure and morphology of the prepared fibrous anion exchanger were characterized by Fourier transform spectroscopy (FTIR), Field emission Scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. The dielectrical constants (epsilon, epsilon), dielectric loss (tan), and AC conductivity (sigma(ac)) were studied as a function of frequency. The material was found to be highly desirable for electroanalytical application as anionic sensor; its membrane electrode has been developed for the detection of AsO4-3 in solutions. The detection limit of AsO4-3 selective membrane electrode is 1 x 10(-9) M to 1 x 10(-1) M with a response time of 35 s and its working pH range is 4-7. The selectivity coefficient values for interfering ions indicate good selectivity for arsenate (AsO4-3) over interfering anions. The accuracy of the results was compared by Portable Coulometric Analyzer (PCA-Arsenomat). (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.