Potentiometric Titrations
Potentiometric titrations are a type of chemical analysis that uses a potentiometric sensor to measure the change in electrical potential of a solution as titrant is added. This change in potential can be used to determine the concentration of the analyte in the solution.
Types of Potentiometric Titrations
There are four main types of potentiometric titrations:
1. Acid-base titrations use a pH electrode to measure the change in pH of the solution as titrant is added. This type of titration is used to determine the concentration of an acid or base in a solution.
2. Redox titrations use a redox electrode to measure the change in oxidation-reduction potential of the solution as titrant is added. This type of titration is used to determine the concentration of an oxidizing or reducing agent in a solution.
3. Complexometric titrations use a complexometric electrode to measure the change in complexation potential of the solution as titrant is added. This type of titration is used to determine the concentration of a metal ion in a solution.
4. Gas-sensing titrations use a gas-sensing electrode to measure the change in concentration of a gas in the solution as titrant is added. This type of titration is used to determine the concentration of a gas in a sample.
Procedure
The general procedure for a potentiometric titration is as follows:
1. A known mass of the analyte is dissolved in a solvent.
2. A potentiometric sensor is placed in the solution.
3. Titrant is added to the solution in small increments.
4. After each increment of titrant, the electrical potential of the solution is measured.
5. The data is plotted as a graph of electrical potential versus volume of titrant added.
6. The equivalence point of the titration is the point at which the electrical potential changes most rapidly. The equivalence point can be used to determine the concentration of the analyte in the solution.
Advantages of Potentiometric Titrations
Potentiometric titrations have several advantages over other types of titrations:
* They are relatively simple to perform.
* They can be used to determine the concentration of a wide variety of analytes.
* They are accurate and precise.
* They can be used in a variety of solvents.
Disadvantages of Potentiometric Titrations
Potentiometric titrations also have some disadvantages:
* They can be time-consuming.
* They can be affected by the presence of interfering ions.
* They require a potentiometric sensor that is specific to the analyte being determined.