Application of nanostructured TCNQ to potentiometric ion-selective K(+) and Na(+) electrodes.

A new type of potentiometric solid-state ion-selective electrode (SS-ISE) has been fabricated with an intermediate layer made of 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) or its ion-radical salts and an ionophore-based ion-selective membrane. To show the influence of the TCNQ layer on electrode selectivity, sodium- and potassium-sensitive membranes were applied. A good Nernstian response with a slope of 59.24 mV/dec in the range from 10(-6.5) to 10(-1) M KCl and 58.68 mV/dec (10(-6) to 10(-1) M NaCl) was observed. The influence of an interfacial water film was assessed by an aqueous-layer test performed during potentiometric measurements. The stability of the electrical potential of the new solid-contact electrodes was tested by performing current-reversal chronopotentiometry, and the capacitance of the electrodes is 132 μF or 154 μF for K(+) and Na(+) solid-contact electrodes. These properties confirmed the analytical applicability of TCNQ-based SC-ISEs and should allow the development of a new solid-state ion sensor group.