Precise coulometric titration of precious metals III. Determination of gold (III) with electrogenerated chlorocuprous ion in KCl-Cu-EDTA buffer medium

Abstract

A method for the precise coulometric titration of gold (III) with electrogenerated chlorocuprous ion in KCl-Cu-EDTA buffer medium is described. 7.45–16.8 mg of gold can be determined with potentiometric end-point detection (RSD = 0.04%). The method is applied to precise analysis of gold in pure gold, jewellery and gold alloys with good selectivity. The mechanism of electron exchange at the gold-plated platinum cathode-electrolyte interface during the process of titration and the reversibility of the electrode in the proposed electrolyte are discussed.