Influence of colloidal charge on response of pH and reference electrodes: the suspension effect.
The pH measured in a charged sediment is often very different from that of the supernatant solution. This effect has been studied to determine whether it is caused by an anomalous junction potential at the reference electrode, as commonly thought, or by Donnan partitioning of hydrogen ions. Electrical conductivities in sediments of a strong cation-exchange resin were much higher than predicted by the junction artifact theory; electrode measurements of pH in sediments corresponded to titratable H(+)-content, and pH-changes induced by titration and salt addition were in accord with partitioning theory. These findings suggest that most pH differences observed between colloidal sediments and supernatants are real, not junction artifacts. Guidelines for interpretation of pH measurements on colloids are suggested.
Brezinski
D P
DP
Corning Glass Works, Sullivan Research Park, Corning, NY 14831, U.S.A.