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Simultaneous Detection of Ammonium and Nitrate in Environmental Samples Using on Ion-Selective Electrode and Comparison with Portable Colorimetric Assays

Simultaneous Detection of Ammonium and Nitrate in Environmental Samples Using on Ion-Selective Electrode and Comparison with Portable Colorimetric Assays Thumbnail


Abstract

Simple, robust, and low-cost nitrate- and ammonium-selective electrodes were made using substrate prepared from household materials. We explored phosphonium-based ILs and poly (methyl methacrylate)/poly(decyl methacrylate)(MMA-DMA) copolymer as matrix materials alternative to classical PVC-based membranes. IL-based membranes showed suitability only for nitrate-selective electrode exhibiting linear concentration range between 5.0 × 10-6 and 2.5 × 10-3 M with a detection limit of 5.5 × 10-7 M. On the other hand, MMA-DMA—based membranes showed suitability for both ammonium- and nitrate-selective electrodes, and were successfully applied to detect NO3- and NH4+ in water and soil samples. The proposed ISEs exhibited near-Nernstian potentiometric responses to NO3- and NH4+ with the linear range concentration between 5.0 × 10-5 and 5.0 × 10-2 M (LOD = 11.3 µM) and 5.0 × 10-6 and 1.0 × 10-3 M (LOD = 1.2 µM), respectively. The power of ISEs to detect NO3- and NH4+ in water and soils was tested by comparison with traditional, portable colorimetric techniques. Procedures required for analysis by each technique from the perspective of a non-trained person (e.g., farmer) and the convenience of the use on the field are compared and contrasted.

Acceptance Date Oct 4, 2018
Publication Date Oct 19, 2018
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Sensors
Publisher MDPI
DOI https://doi.org/10.3390/s18103555
Keywords ion-selective electrodes; environmental analysis; soil analysis; electrodes versus colorimetric assay
Publisher URL https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/18/10/3555/htm

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