Tip size of ion-exchanger based K+-selective microelectrodes. I. Effects on selectivity
Double-barreled ion-exchanger based K+ -selective microelectrodes (K+ ISMs) of a variety of tip diameters were used to study the dependency of ion selectivity upon tip size. The selectivity of K+ ISMs depended on tip size and barrel configuration. Within the range of tip diameters tested (~ 0.5–6 μm) all K+ ISMs constructed of two barrels glued side by side ("figure-eight glass") exhibited sensitivity to K+ and NH4+. Figure-eight K+ ISMs with tip diameters < 1.5 μm were not sensitive to tetramethylammonium, tetraethylammonium, or choline, whereas K+ ISMs with tip diameters ≥ 1.5 μm sensed all of the quaternary amines. Tip size dependent selectivity was not present in K+ ISMs made from thick septum theta glass. The explanation for tip size dependent changes in ion selectivity is unknown but a discussion of theoretical possibilities is given.