Potentiometric ion analyses with ion selective electrodes (ISEs) are performed by use of one of three methods, each entailing its own advantages: direct potentiometry, incremental methods, and potentiometric titration. Hanna offers a solution for each of these methods:
Direct potentiometry
Direct potentiometry is a widely used method of performing ion analysis with ISEs. This method is highly effective when the user must quickly measure large batches of samples at varying concentrations.
Our direct reading meters, such as the HI98191, display concentration of the unknown sample by a direct reading after calibration of the instrument with two or more standards; ionic strength adjustments are made to both samples and standards.
Incremental methods
Incremental methods are useful techniques used to determine ion concentration in samples whose constituents are variable or concentrated. Incremental methods have some inherent advantages over direct potentiometry. The techniques can reduce errors from variables such as temperature, viscosity, pH or ionic strength.
The electrodes remain immersed throughout the process, thus reducing sample carry over and possible liquid junction changes in the reference. Known addition, known subtraction, analyte addition, and analyte subtraction methods are four of these incremental techniques.
A potentiometric titration can increase the precision of ISE measurements and also the number of ionic species that can be determined. ISEs are commonly used as indicators for the titrant or sample species to follow the progress of a precipitation or complexometric .
Titration
A small change in reactant addition corresponds to a large change in electrode potential at the stoichiometric endpoint. An example of a precipitation titration is the determination of chloride using silver nitrate. A silver ISE can be used to follow this titration.
A complexometric titration is used for the determination of calcium. A calcium solution is titrated with the complexing agent, EDTA. During the titration there is a gradual decrease in the free Ca2+ ion concentration as more EDTA is added. The endpoint corresponds to the point at which all of the Ca2+ is complexed. The progress of this titration can be monitored using a calcium ISE.
