Coulometric trace determination of water by using Karl Fischer reagent and potentiometric end-point detection.
A new approach to the determination of water via the Karl Fischer reaction is described. Iodine is coulometrically generated and the end-point corresponding to a slight excess of iodine, is detected potentiometrically with a non-polarized platinum electrode. Samples of 1-500 mul containing 0.05-200 mug of water were analysed with a standard deviation of 0.015 mug in the range 0.05-20 mug of H(2)O. A specially constructed electrolysis cell was used in combination with an LKB 16300 Coulometric Analyzer and the time for a complete analysis was 1-4 min, depending on sample size. The reagent composition has been optimized in order to enhance the rate of the main reaction and to minimize the extent of side-reactions. Decreasing the temperature reduced the extent of side-reactions. The displacement of end-point potential on dilution was studied and a correction is discussed.
Cedergren
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Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Umeå, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden.