Trace fluoride determination with specific ion electrode

Abstract

A method is described for determining 10 -5–10 -4 M fluoride in a variety of solutions potentiometrically with a fluoridc-specific electrode, by a standard addition method. Any change of ionic strength or the nature of the solution that might alter activity coefficients or junction potentials is minimized. The relationship between potential and fluoride concentration thus follows the Nernst equation, and the unknown concentration can be calculated. Experimental data are given for solutions of sodium choride, sodium nitrate, acidified sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide, lithium chloride, and phosphoric acid. Metal ions (e.g., Al 3+, UO 2 2+, Fe 3+, Th 4+) that interfere by forming complexes with fluoride can be precomplexed with phosphoric acid. The relative error is estimated at 10%, and the relative standard deviation is less than 5% over the concentration range 10 -5–10 -4 M fluoride.