The Effect of Gold Nanoparticles (AuNPs) on the Sensitivity of Potentiometric Cooper Sensors

Copper (II) is an essential heavy metal for living things and is beneficial for the environment if levels are still below permitted limits. Copper (II) levels in the environment can be determined using potentiometric sensors. The sensitivity in measuring the copper (II) potentiometric sensor greatly determines the analysis results. To increase the sensitivity of the potentiometric copper (II) sensor, AuNPs compounds were added to the composition of the membrane material based on S-Methyl N-(Methylcarbamoyloxy) Thioacetimidate or methomyl. In this research, the optimum composition of the membrane for making copper (II) potentiometric sensors based on methomyl has been determined and the effect of AuNPs compounds on the sensitivity of copper (II) potentiometric sensors based on methomyl has been studied. Research variables include the composition of the membrane used and variations in the addition of AuNPs compounds to the optimum membrane composition. The research results show the optimum performance of the copper (II) potentiometric sensor on the membrane composition methomyl: PVC: DOP with a ratio of 17: 17: 66 (%w/w) which produces a Nernst Factor value of 28.09 mV/decade. The addition of AuNPs compounds to the potentiometric copper (II) sensor membrane showed optimum performance when adding 0.1 mL of AuNPs with a Nernst Factor value of 29.55 mV/decade with a detection limit of 0.6 ppm copper (II). The addition of AuNPs compounds to the optimum membrane composition can increase the Nernst Factor value which is close to the theoretical Nernst Factor value.