Development of Zn(II) sensors based on the assisted transfer of metal ionsby hydrophobic ligands through gel-supported microinterfaces

Square-wave voltammetry (SWV) has been used to study the transfer of zinc(I I) ion under static conditions, assisted by 5,6-diphenyl-3-(2-pyridyl)-1,2, 4-triazine (DPT), through gel-supported microinterfaces. Microhole arrays c reated by laser photoablation of thin polyester films were used to support an organic gel phase prepared by addition of 1,3 : 2,4-dibenzylidenesorbito l (DBS) to a solution of o-nitrophenyloctyl ether (o-NPOE) with the appropr iate supporting electrolyte. The results show that SWV can be used with the gel-supported microinterfaces if a gelified aqueous reference is used for the organic phase. Under such conditions a preliminary estimate of the dete ction limit for the determination of Zn2+ is 5 x 10(-8) mol L-1.