Chemical microsensors based on chalcogenide glasses for the detection of cadmium ions in solution

Abstract Chemical microsensors for the detection of Cd 2+ ions in solution were prepared. The sensitive membranes are chalcogenide glasses from the CdSAgISb 2 S 3 system. Physical, chemical and electrochemical characteristics of the sensors are presented. Quasi-nerstian responses over five orders of magnitude associated to a limit of detection lower than 10 −6 mol/l were observed. Selectivity of the sensitive membranes versus several cations was studied. While low selectivity coefficients were obtained when the interfering cations were Co 2+ , Ni 2+ , Zn 2+ or Ca 2+ the present sensing device appears to be non selective against Pb 2+ and Cu 2+ .