A study of coated-wire potassium-valinomycin and sodium-monensin ion-sensing systems by use of a conventional field-effect transistor.

Polymer films containing a sodium or potassium ion-selective exchanger were coated onto platinum wire and incorporated into a potentiometric arrangement. Comparative results obtained by utilizing different measuring devices, one a conventional pH-meter and the other a field-effect transistor (FET) in series with an electrometer, are discussed. The linear range of either system is comparable with that of other electrochemical techniques. Possible applications of such a device are described.