A new polymer, silsesquioxane 3-n-propylpyridinium chloride (SiPy+Cl-), was used in the preparation of an electrode. The polymer coated graphite rod ion selective electrode for Cr(VI) was constructed and evaluated for the determination of Cr(VI) in samples of electroplating and leather industry wastes. This electrode exhibited a Nernstian response for Cr(VI) concentrations between 3.1<FONT FACE=Symbol>´</FONT>10-6 and 1.8<FONT FACE=Symbol>´</FONT>10-2 mol L-1 and a detection limit of 2.8<FONT FACE=Symbol>´</FONT>10-6 mol L-1 (0.15 ppm). The response of the electrode for Cr(VI) was fast (15 s) and the independent potential of pH in the range of 3.0 to 7.0. The selectivity coefficients for several anions showed that the electrode presents excellent performance. The sensor exhibits a shelf-life of 6 months with good reproducibility. Determination of Cr(VI) in electroplating and leather wastes using the sensor was successfully achieved.
chromium; sensors; chromium-selective electrode; silsesquioxane 3-n-propylpyridinium chloride
