Titrimetry

Titrimetry is a collective name for a group of methods to accurately quantify a component in a liquid or solid material. Applications can vary from simple process control, like the determination of the concentration of a developer, to complicated valency analyses in solid materials.

During a titrimetric method, a stoichiometric chemical reaction takes place between a component from the sample and standard reagent with a well-known concentration. The standard solution is stepwise added as small, well-defined amounts until the reaction with the analyte is completed. The endpoint of such a titration can be monitored by electrochemical means (potentiometric titrations), visually or photometrically. Eventually, the concentration of the analyte in the sample can be calculated by using the total amount of reagent consumed, the concentration of the reagent solution and the reaction stoichiometry.

Titrimetric methods can be categorized to the type of chemical reaction involved. The most common categories are based on:

Acid/base reactions
Complexometric reactions
Redox reactions
Precipitation reactions

Ideal Uses of Titrimetry

Quantification of an acid/base to determine the acidity/alkalinity of a solution (e.g. process water)
Valency determination of Ce(III) versus Ce(IV) in glass (redox titration)
Determination of the water concentration in organic liquids and solids (Karl Fischer titration)
Chromium and nickel content in electroplating baths
Total hardness of water (Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺) by complexometric reaction with EDTA
Sulphate content in electroplating baths (precipitation reaction)

Strengths

Accurate and precise technique
Fast
Visual identification of reactivity upon equilibrium point(s)

Limitations

Sample dissolution is often required, since most reactions occur in liquid phase
Some chemical reactions are not element specific. Compositional information about the sample matrix is therefore required
Destructive

Titrimetry Technical Specifications

Kind of information: Concentration of specific components, elements or valency states
Sample type: Solids (bulk, after dissolution), solutions, inorganic and organic
Sample amount & requirements: Typically > 10 mg. No special requirements
Quantitative/Qualitative: Quantitative
Accuracy: 1% relative
Precision: 0.5% relative
Detection limit: Depending on component; typically 1 µg
Destructive / non-destructive: Destructive