Application of ion-selective electrodes for the microdetermination of chlorine and bromine in volatile organic compounds

Abstract

A method is described for the determination of chlorine and bromine in mg samples of highly halogenated volatile organic compounds. The samples are introduced into the combustion system by injection and burnt in a stream of oxygen at 1000° over platinum and quartz. The combustion gases are absorbed in a solution of 80% acetic acid containing some hydrogen peroxide, nitric acid and mercuric chloride or bromide. The halide is then titrated with mercury. The end-point is determined by an ion-specific electrode. One determination takes approximately 15 minutes. The relative standard deviation of the determination is about 1%. The reversibility and durability of the silver sulphide electrode are unaffected as long as the mercury ion concentration is less than 10−3M.