The highly selective green colorimetric detection of yttrium ions in biological and environmental samples using the synergistic effect in an optical sensor

Abstract

A new eco-friendly method for creating an optical sensor membrane specifically designed to detect yttrium ions (Y³⁺) has been developed. The proposed sensor membrane is fabricated by integrating 4-(2-arsonophenylazo) salicylic acid (APASA), sodium tetraphenylborate (Na-TPB), and tri-n-octyl phosphine oxide (TOPO) into a plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) matrix with dimethyl sebacate (DMS) as the plasticizer. In this sensor membrane, APASA functions dually as an ionophore and a chromoionophore, while TOPO enhances the complexation of Y³⁺ ions with APASA. The composition of the sensor membrane has been meticulously optimized to achieve peak performance. The current membrane exhibits a linear dynamic range for Y³⁺ ions from 8.0 × 10⁻⁹ to 2.3 × 10⁻⁵ M, with detection and quantification limits of 2.3 × 10⁻⁹ and 7.7 × 10⁻⁹ M, respectively. No interference from other potentially interfering cations and anions was observed in the determination of Y³⁺. The membrane showed strong stability and a swift response time of about 3.0 minutes, with no signs of APASA leaching. This sensor is highly selective for Y³⁺ ions and can be renewed by treating it with 0.15 M HNO₃. It has been effectively applied to measure Y³⁺ in nickel-based alloys, as well as in biological and environmental samples.