A deuterium–palladium electrode as a new sensor in non-aqueous media: the potentiometric titration of weak acids in alcohols

摘要

A deuterium–palladium electrode was employed as a new indicator electrode for the titration of weak acids in tert-butanol and iso-propanol. The investigated electrode showed a linear dynamic response for p-toluenesulfonic acid in the concentration range from 0.1 to 0.001 mol L−1, with a Nernstian slope of 53.0 mV per decade in tert-butanol. The potential in the course of the titration and at the titration end-point (TEP) was rapidly established. Potassium hydroxide and tetrabutylammonium hydroxide (TBAH) proved to be very suitable titrating agents for these titrations. The response time was less than 10–11 s and the lifetime of the electrode was limitless. The experimental results obtained for the proposed electrochemical sensor and a conventional glass electrode were in good agreement. The advantages of the electrode are long-term stability, fast response, reproducibility, and easy preparation.