Potentiometrisillä

Potentiometrisillä refers to methods or devices that utilize potentiometry. Potentiometry is an electrochemical technique used to measure the potential difference between two electrodes immersed in a solution. This potential difference is directly related to the concentration of a specific ion or molecule in the solution, provided that one of the electrodes is designed to be selective for that species. The other electrode, known as the reference electrode, maintains a constant potential.

In practice, a potentiometric measurement involves placing an indicator electrode, which responds to the analyte, and a reference electrode into the sample. The voltage between these two electrodes is then measured using a high-impedance voltmeter. As the concentration of the target analyte changes, the potential of the indicator electrode changes accordingly, while the reference electrode's potential remains stable. This potential change is then correlated to the analyte concentration through a calibration curve or by applying the Nernst equation.

Potentiometric methods are widely used in various fields. In analytical chemistry, they are employed for the determination of ions like pH (using a glass electrode), fluoride, chloride, and many others. They are also utilized in environmental monitoring for water quality analysis, in medical diagnostics for blood gas analysis, and in industrial process control for monitoring chemical concentrations. The simplicity, relatively low cost, and versatility of potentiometric techniques make them a valuable tool for chemical analysis.