Potentiometriaan

Potentiometriaan is a quantitative analytical method used to determine the concentration of a specific analyte in a solution. It is based on the principle of measuring the electric potential difference between two electrodes immersed in an electrochemical cell. One of these electrodes is typically an indicator electrode, whose potential is dependent on the concentration of the analyte of interest. The other electrode is a reference electrode, which maintains a constant potential regardless of the solution composition.

The potential difference measured in potentiometriaan is a direct reflection of the analyte's concentration. As the analyte is consumed or produced during a titration or simply present in the solution, the potential of the indicator electrode changes accordingly. By carefully monitoring this potential change, often using a high-impedance voltmeter, one can deduce the concentration of the analyte. This is frequently done by observing the point at which the potential changes most rapidly, indicating the equivalence point of a titration or a significant change in analyte concentration.

Common applications of potentiometriaan include determining the concentration of ions such as chloride, fluoride, and pH (using a glass electrode as the indicator electrode). It is a versatile technique, offering a non-destructive way to analyze samples. The accuracy of potentiometriaan depends on the stability of the electrodes, the purity of the reagents, and the careful control of experimental conditions. It is widely employed in various fields, including environmental monitoring, pharmaceutical analysis, and industrial quality control.