Titration of sulphates and lead using lead ion selective electrode

Abstract

Titration of sulphates with lead perchlorate employing lead ion selective electrode indication was studied using additions of various organic solvents at different pH' and ionic strength values. As the optimum emerged systems with 60-70% 1,4-dioxane, pH' 5.3-5.6. After dehydration with sodium hydroxide, dioxane must be freed from the electrode surface-oxidizing impurities by their reduction with sodium metal and subsequent distillation. The method was applied to determination of sulphates in mountain spring waters. Units of ppm can be determined; the limit of determination, however, depends considerably on the content of dioxane, total salt content in the sample, and speed of the semi-automatic titration. Lead can be determined with EDTA in concentrations down to c(Pb2+) = 5 . 10-6 mol l-1.