Abstract
Cross-linked copolymers based on poly(acrylic acid) and functionalised with crown-ethers have been designed and synthesised. The materials selectively absorb K+ over other Group I ions such as Li+ and Na+. The copolymers have been used as the basis of a quartz crystal microbalance, QCM, to form a sensor for use in aqueous solutions. Acrylic acid polymers cross-linked with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, (EGDMA) and substituted with 18-crown-6 rings were coated onto the crystal and the sensing of K-(aq)(+) investigated. The detection limit of the developed sensor is < 1 ppm for K-(aq)(+) with a linear range extending to over 1000 ppm although further optimisation should significantly improve this performance.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 109-121 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Reactive & Functional Polymers |
Volume | 66 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2006 |