Novel PVC membrane bulk optical sensor for determination of uranyl ion

A new bulk optical sensor, incorporating Piroxicam as a cation recognition and Alizarin as a co-ionophore is reported for determination of trace amounts of uranyl ions (UO22+). The PVC membrane composition was optimized for extremely low levels (<20 μg L−1) of UO22+ ions. The proposed optode showed excellent response to UO22+ ions over a wide concentration range of 1.0 × 10−8 to 1.0 × 10−6 mol L−1 (2.7–270 μg L−1) with a limit of detection 6.0 × 10−9 mol L−1 (1.6 μg L−1). The relative standard deviation for eight determinations of uranyl ions solutions was ±0.54%. The sensor could be regenerated using 1.0 × 10−5 mol L−1 NaF solution. The sensor was applied for determination of UO22+ ions in groundwater samples.