Reaction-induced headspace strategy toward efficient available chlorine analysis in bleaching water products

Abstract

In this study, with reaction-induced headspace strategy, a novel and convenient method for quantifying available chlorine in bleaching water product was developed. The analytical technique relies on the detection of carbon dioxide generated from the oxidation–reduction reaction between available chlorine substances (i.e., hypochlorite) and oxalate in the presence of a strong acid. The formed carbon dioxide is accurately measured using gas chromatography (GC) in a closed headspace vial. The results demonstrated that this analytical technique has high precision and and accuracy in detecting available chlorine. Additionally, the method offers low detection limits (limit of quantification (LOQ) = 0.19 μg/mL), and the recoveries ranged from 98.78 to 101.20% for added standards. With its efficiency and automation, this proposed reaction-induced headspace technique offers a fast and simple method for the routine estimation of available chlorine in bleaching water products, making it suitable for a wide range of applications including processing and quality monitoring.