Carbon Paste Electrode Modified with Functionalized Nanoporous Silica Gel as a New Sensor for Determination of Silver Ion

A new dipyridyl‐functionalized silica gel (DPSG) was synthesized. The potentiometric response of silver ion was investigated at a carbon paste electrode chemically modified with functionalized nanoporous silica gel. The electrodes with a DPSG proportions of 10.1% (w/w), showed very stable potential. Calibration plots with Nernstian slopes for Ag+were observed, 58.7 (±0.9) mV decade−1, over a wide linear range of concentration (5.0×10−7to 1.0×10−1M). The electrode has a detection limit of 1.0×10−7M. The selectivity coefficients measured by the match potential method in acetate buffer, pH 5.5, were investigated. The electrode has fast response time, high performance, high sensitivity in wide cation activity ranges, and good long term stability (more than 6 months). The method was satisfactory and used to determine the concentration of silver ion in waste waters contaminated by this metal.