System and method for detecting lead in water related applications

Abstract

A system for measuring a concentration of lead in water includes a variable electrode having lead ionophore II and a reference electrode electrically connected to the variable electrode and having carbon nanotubes. A potentiometer is electrically connected to the variable and reference electrodes, and the potentiometer generates a signal reflective of the electrical potential between the variable and reference electrodes when the variable and reference electrodes are immersed in the water. A method for measuring a concentration of lead in water may include preparing a variable electrode having lead ionophore II and a reference electrode having carbon nanotubes. The method may further include electrically connecting a potentiometer with the variable and reference electrodes, immersing the variable and reference electrodes in the water, and generating a signal from the potentiometer reflective of the electrical potential between the variable and reference electrodes in the water.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for measuring a concentration of lead in water, comprising:
 a variable electrode comprising a mixture of lead ionophore II, carbon nanotubes, and a first binder;   a reference electrode comprising a mixture of carbon nanotubes and a second binder;   a potentiometer electrically connected in series with said variable electrode and said reference electrode; and   wherein said potentiometer generates a signal reflective of the electrical potential between said variable and reference electrodes when said variable reference electrodes are immersed in the water.   
     
     
         2 . The system for measuring the concentration of lead in water as in  claim 1 , wherein said variable electrode has a concentration of lead ionophore II of 20-30% by weight. 
     
     
         3 . The system for measuring the concentration of lead in water as in  claim 1 , wherein said variable electrode has a concentration of carbon nanotubes of 50-60% by weight. 
     
     
         4 . The system for measuring the concentration of lead in water as in  claim 1 , wherein said reference electrode has a concentration of carbon nanotubes of 70-80% by weight. 
     
     
         5 . The system for measuring the concentration of lead in water as in  claim 1 , wherein said first and second binders are selected from the group consisting of silicon oil or polyvinyl alcohol. 
     
     
         6 . The system for measuring the concentration of lead in water as in  claim 1 , further comprising a hydrophilic membrane between said variable electrode and the water. 
     
     
         7 . A system for measuring a concentration of lead in water, comprising:
 a variable electrode comprising lead ionophore II;   a reference electrode electrically connected to said variable electrode and comprising carbon nanotubes;   a potentiometer electrically connected with said variable electrode and said reference electrode; and   wherein said potentiometer generates a signal reflective of the electrical potential between said variable and reference electrodes when said variable and reference electrodes are immersed in the water.   
     
     
         8 . The system for measuring the concentration of lead in water as in  claim 7 , wherein said variable electrode has a concentration of lead ionophore II of 20-30% by weight. 
     
     
         9 . The system for measuring the concentration of lead in water as in  claim 7 , wherein said variable electrode further comprises 50-60% by weight of carbon nanotubes. 
     
     
         10 . The system for measuring the concentration of lead in water as in  claim 7 , wherein said variable electrode further comprises a binder selected from the group consisting of silicon oil or polyvinyl alcohol. 
     
     
         11 . The system for measuring the concentration of lead in water as in  claim 7 , wherein said reference electrode has a concentration of carbon nanotubes of 70-80% by weight. 
     
     
         12 . The system for measuring the concentration of lead in water as in  claim 7 , further comprising a hydrophilic membrane between said variable electrode and the water. 
     
     
         13 . A method for measuring a concentration of lead in water, comprising:
 preparing a variable electrode comprising lead ionophore II;   preparing a reference electrode comprising carbon nanotubes;   electrically connecting a potentiometer with said variable electrode and said reference electrode;   immersing said variable electrode and said reference electrode in the water; and   generating a signal from said potentiometer reflective of the electrical potential between said variable and reference electrodes in the water.   
     
     
         14 . The method for measuring the concentration of lead in water as in  claim 13 , further comprising mixing 20-30% by weight of lead ionophore II in said variable electrode. 
     
     
         15 . The method for measuring the concentration of lead in water as in  claim 13 , further comprising mixing 50-60% by weight of carbon nanotubes in said variable electrode. 
     
     
         16 . The method for measuring the concentration of lead in water as in  claim 13 , further comprising mixing 70-80% by weight of carbon nanotubes in said reference electrode. 
     
     
         17 . The method for measuring the concentration of lead in water as in  claim 13 , further comprising mixing a binder selected from the group consisting of silicon oil or polyvinyl alcohol in said variable electrode. 
     
     
         18 . The method for measuring the concentration of lead in water as in  claim 13 , further comprising separating said variable electrode from the water with a hydrophilic membrane. 
     
     
         19 . The method for measuring the concentration of lead in water as in  claim 13 , further comprising conditioning said variable electrode by immersing said variable electrode in a lead solution for at least five minutes. 
     
     
         20 . The method for measuring the concentration of lead in water as in  claim 13 , further comprising calibrating said signal generated from said meter with known concentrations of lead.