Table of Contents

1.1 Conductometry............................................................................................................2

1.2 Applications of Conductometry..................................................................................2

1.2.1 Conductivity Meter..............................................................................................2

1.2.2 Conductometric Titration.....................................................................................3

1.3 Potentiometry..............................................................................................................4

1.4 Applications of Potentiometry....................................................................................5

1.4.1 The pH Meter.......................................................................................................5

1.4.2 Potentiometric Titrations.....................................................................................7

References..............................................................................................................................9
1
Potentiometric Applications of Conductometry
and Potentiometry in analytical Chemistry
1.1 Conductometry
Conductometry is used to analyze ionic species and to monitor a chemical reaction by
studying the electrolytic conductivity of the reacting species or the resultant products. It has
notable applications in analytical chemistry. Conductivity measurement can be performed
directly by using a conductivity meter or by performing conductometric titration.

1.2 Applications of Conductometry

1.2.1 Conductivity Meter
An electrical conductivity meter (EC meter) is
a handy device that measures the electrical
conductivity in a solution. It has multiple
applications in research and engineering, with
common usage in hydroponics, aquaculture,
aquaponics, and freshwater systems to
monitor the amount of nutrients, salts or
impurities in the water.

1.2.1.1 Principle
Figure 1.1: Electrical Conductivity Meter
A simple laboratory conductivity meter
encompasses four electrodes and leverages potentiometric technique to measure the rate of
conductivity. The electrodes are manufactured using platinum material, cylindrical
structured, and placed concentrically. The outer pair of electrodes is subjected to externally
applied AC current and potential difference across the inner material is calculated using ohm
law along with other parameter considerations such as distance amongst electrodes and
surface area. Further, electrolytes of known conductivity are used to obtain precise and
accurate values.

1.2.1.2 Applications
 It is used to test the conductivity of numerous materials such as copper, aluminum,
and non-ferrous magnetic metals.
 To calculate the quality grades and purity of the material.
 The resistivity of materials.
 Thermal performance of materials
 In heat treatment plants to measure the strength and hardness of the alloy.
 Electrical conductivity examples
 As mentioned in the above sections, silver stands first in the row of a pure form of
electrical conductivity.
 It is followed by copper, gold, and aluminum materials. Nickel Aluminum Bronze,
lead, and steel stands at the last ranking as poor conductor of electricity.

1.2.2 Conductometric Titration

Conductometric titrations are analytical techniques that help to measure the conductivity of
an analyte. The conductivity of an analyte is due to the presence of charged ions in the
analyte. In this technique, we can determine the conductivity continuously while adding the
reactant. Here, we can obtain the endpoint as a sudden change in the conductivity. Moreover,
one major importance of this titration technique is that we can use this method for
colored analytes and suspensions as well, which are difficult to be titrated with normal
indicators.
 Figure 1.2: Conductometric Titration Assembly

1.2.2.1 Principle
The principle of conductometric titration is based on the fact that during the titration, one of
the ions is replaced by the other and invariably these two ions differ in the ionic conductivity
with the result that conductivity of the solution varies during the course of titration. The
equivalence point may be located graphically by plotting the change in conductance as a
function of the volume of titrant added.

1.2.2.2 Applications
Conductometric titration is performed to determine the electrical conductivity of the sample.
This method finds the amount of a sample by adding a measured increment of titrant until
reaching the endpoint. The titration is observed by calculating the solution conductance. To
measure the progress of chemical reactions. Conductometric titrations are used in analytical
chemistry. Some applications of conductometric titrations mentioned below:

 The determination of water purity can be done by conductometry.

 Determination of the salinity of seawater using conductometry.
 It can be used to determine the chemical equilibrium in ionic reactions.
 Conductometry titration can be used in the quantitative analysis of compounds.
 The alkalinity of freshwater can be checked by this method.
 Used to detect microorganisms in food industries.
 Conductometry titration used to determine the basicity of organic acids.
  The deuterium ion concentration in the water can be determined by the
conductometry.

1.3 Potentiometry
Potentiometry is one of the methods of electroanalytical chemistry. It is usually employed to
find the concentration of a solute in solution. In potentiometric measurements, the potential
between two electrodes is measured using a high impedance voltmeter. Use of a high
impedance voltmeter in important, because it ensures that current flow is negligible. Since
there is no net current, there are no net electrochemical reactions, hence the system is in
equilibrium.

1.3.1.1 Principle
At its most fundamental level, a
potentiometer consists of two electrodes
inserted in two solutions connected by a
salt bridge (see figure 1.3). The voltmeter
is attached to the electrodes to measure
the potential difference between them.
One of the electrodes is a reference
electrode, whose electrode potential is
known. The other electrode is the test
electrode. The test electrode is usually
either a metal immersed in a solution of
its own ions, whose concentration you wish Figure 1.3: Instrumentation of Potentiometry

to discover, or a carbon rod electrode sitting a solution which contains the ions of interest in
two different oxidation states. The Nernst Equation can be used to find the concentration of
the test solution.
1.4 Applications of Potentiometry
1.4.1 The pH Meter
A pH meter is a precise instrument that weighs the hydrogen-ion movement in water-based
suspensions, showing its acidity or alkalinity expressed as pH. It is also called a
“potentiometric pH meter” because it measures the variation in electrical potential between a
pH electrode and a reference electrode. The variation in electrical potential links to the
acidity or pH of the suspension.

1.4.1.1 Construction of pH meter:

The pH probe of modern pH meter is a combined type, in which glass and reference
electrode are placed into a rod like structure. The combined electrode consist of following pa
Glass bulb:

 It is a sensor that senses

the H+ ion concentration
and it is made from special
type of glass and
membrane. The glass bulb
consists of 0.1M HCL.
 Internal electrode: It is the
silver chloride electrode.
 Internal solution: The
silver chloride electrode is
dipped in buffer solution
of 0.1 mol/L KCL of pH 7.
 Reference Electrode: It is
also the silver chloride
electrode.
Figure 1.4: Parts of pH Meter
 Internal Solution: The
reference electrode is also dipped in buffer solution of 0.1 mol/L KCL of pH 7.
  Junction: It is made from ceramic junction also called as diaphragm that allows the
contact of sample solution and reference electrolyte. It does not disturb the electric
connection between both the electrodes.
 Filling hole: It is used for refilling the electrolyte.
 Electrode body: the body is from non-conductive glass or plastic.

1.4.1.2 Working
The working of pH meter is based on Nernst equation. Nernst equation derives the relation
between the electric voltages with ion concentration. The Nernst equation derived for H+ ion
concentration is the basis of pH meter. The working principle of pH meter is the
potentiometry. The pH meter consists of glass (also called as indicator electrode) and
reference electrode. The glass electrode consists of glass membrane, which is sensitive to
hydrogen ion concentration of test sample solution. And the glass electrode potential varies
from sample to sample. The reference electrode is standard and has constant potential. The
reference electrode does not respond to test sample solution. The pH meter measures and
compares the potential difference between both glass and reference electrodes.

Using the Nernst equation, the potential difference is used to measure the hydrogen ion
concentration indicating the pH of given solution. Due to the potential difference between
two electrodes, the electron flows and generates current. This generated current is measured
by voltmeter. The relationship between the potential difference, generated current and pH has
been derived. The potential difference of 1 pH is 59.16mV at 25° C and hence when there is
difference of one pH unit, there will be change in voltage by 59.16mV. This relationship is
employed in measuring the pH.

1.4.1.3 Applications
 In agriculture industries, it is used to measure the pH of soil.
 It is also used to measure water quality for municipal water supplies, swimming
pools.
 In many chemical and pharmaceutical industries, it is used to measure the pH value of
solutions.
 The pH Meter is additionally employed in the Food industry particularly for dairy
products like cheese, curds, yogurts, etc.
  It becomes a vital circumstance in the making of detergents.
 pH level monitoring is essential in water treatment plants and RO water purifiers.

1.4.2 Potentiometric Titrations

Potentiometric titration is a technique similar to direct titration but in this no indicator
reagent is used instead an electrode is used as an indicator. In potentiometric titrations a cell
is used with reference electrode, salt bridge, analyte and an indicator electrode. Generally,
electrolyte solution is used as an analyte. Hydrogen electrodes, silver chloride electrodes and
calomel electrodes are generally used as reference electrodes. Indicator electrode is generally
glass electrode and metal ion electrode.

1.4.2.1 Types of Potentiometric Titration

Following four types of titrations can be performed by potentiometric titration:

Acid - base titration: Titration of HCl with NaOH can be done by potentiometric titration.
In this concentration of a given acid/base is determined by using a standard solution. 

Redox Titration: Potentiometric titration was first used for redox titration by Crotogino. He
titrated halide ions with KMnO using a platinum electrode and calomel electrode. 
4

Complexometric titration: In this type of potentiometric titration concentration of metal

ions are determined in the analyte. In this membrane electrodes are used. 

Precipitation Titration: In this type of titration precipitate is formed as the name suggests.
When addition of the titrant no longer forms a precipitate, that point is noted as the endpoint.

1.4.2.2 Applications
 It is used in clinical chemistry for analysis of metals.
 It is used for analysis of cyanide, ammonia etc. in water or wastewater.
 It is used in agriculture for detection of different elements in soils, fertilizers etc.
 It is used in detergent manufacturing, food processing etc.
References
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titrations/

https://www.watelectrical.com/what-is-electrical-conductivity-working-principle-formula-
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https://www.slideshare.net/AtifNauman3/conductivity-meter-128643004

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