Solid‐Contact Copper(II)‐Selective Potentiometric Sensor Based on a Newly Synthesized Thiazole–Phenylurea Derivative Molecule

ABSTRACT A novel thiazole‐substituted phenylurea derivative (6) was synthesized for the first time. The characterization studies of the synthesized novel molecule were carried out using 1 H‐, 13 C‐NMR, FTIR, and elemental analysis. The compound was investigated as an ionophore to be used in potentiometric sensor applications, and nine poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) membrane sensors with varying compositions were prepared using it; their analytical performances were studied. The prepared sensors exhibited selectivity and stable potential behavior toward Cu 2+ ions, a toxic heavy metal. These newly developed sensors had a wide linear concentration range (1.0 × 10 −1 –1.0 × 10 −5 M), low detection limit (2.68 × 10 −6 M), Nernstian response (29.5 ± 1.7 mV/decade), fast response time (∼9 s), wide pH working range (4.0–10.0), good reproducibility, and good selectivity. The surface morphologies of the prepared sensors were also examined by scanning electron microscopy. The analytical applications of the fabricated sensor were performed with high recoveries (> 94.4%) in various water samples. These results indicate that the newly synthesized molecule is an effective, economical, and reliable ionophore for constructing Cu 2+ ‐selective potentiometric sensors.