Colorimetric sensor for determination of thiocyanate in fossil and drill waters

A colorimetric sensor is proposed for determination of thiocyanate based on the destruction of mercury–diphenyl–carbazone complex immobilized in the optically transparent polymethacrylate matrix in the concentration range 0.8– 50mg dm^–3 with the detection limit of 0.6mg dm^–3 or visual determination with ‘naked eye’ in the concentration above 1mg dm^–3. The possibility of application of such sensors for determining thiocyanate in fossil and drill waters is shown.