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Lecture Electrical Methods of Analysis

Electrical methods of analysis utilize electrical properties to identify and quantify chemical substances, with key techniques including electrolysis, coulometry, voltammetry, and polarography. Each method has unique principles and applications across various fields such as environmental monitoring, pharmaceuticals, and industrial processes. These techniques are essential for accurate measurements and analysis in modern analytical chemistry.

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30 views5 pages

Lecture Electrical Methods of Analysis

Electrical methods of analysis utilize electrical properties to identify and quantify chemical substances, with key techniques including electrolysis, coulometry, voltammetry, and polarography. Each method has unique principles and applications across various fields such as environmental monitoring, pharmaceuticals, and industrial processes. These techniques are essential for accurate measurements and analysis in modern analytical chemistry.

Uploaded by

Jay Teves
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Electrical Methods of Analysis

Introduction

Electrical methods of analysis play a crucial role in modern analytical chemistry by utilizing electrical properties such as
current, voltage, and resistance to quantify and identify chemical substances. These techniques are widely applied in
environmental monitoring, pharmaceuticals, electroplating, food safety, and industrial process control. The main
electrical methods discussed in this lecture include:

 Electrolysis – the decomposition of chemical compounds using electric current.


 Coulometry – a highly accurate technique for measuring the total charge passed in an electrochemical reaction.
 Voltammetry – a method that measures current as a function of applied voltage to analyze substances.
 Polarography – a type of voltammetry that uses a dropping mercury electrode for precise measurements.

Each of these methods has distinct principles and applications in analytical chemistry.

A. Electrolysis: The Breakdown of Compounds Using Electricity

Definition and Principle

Electrolysis is a process in which an electric current is passed through an electrolyte to drive a non-spontaneous chemical
reaction. It is based on Faraday’s laws of electrolysis, which relate the amount of substance reacted to the charge
passed through the solution.

Components of Electrolysis

1. Electrolyte: A substance that dissolves in water to produce free-moving ions.


2. Electrodes:
1. Cathode (-): Site of reduction (gain of electrons).
2. Anode (+): Site of oxidation (loss of electrons).
3. Power Source: Provides the required electrical energy.

Key Equations

The amount of substance deposited or dissolved is given by:


Applications

✔ Electroplating: Coating metal objects with a thin layer of another metal (e.g., silver or gold).
✔ Electrorefining: Purification of metals such as copper and aluminum.
✔ Industrial Production: Used to produce hydrogen and oxygen from water electrolysis.

B. Coulometry: Quantitative Measurement of Electric Charge in Chemical Reactions

Coulometry is an electrochemical analysis technique that determines the amount of substance in a sample by measuring
the total charge (Q) passed during a redox reaction. It follows Faraday’s laws and is one of the most precise
electroanalytical techniques.

Types of Coulometry

1. Controlled Potential Coulometry: The voltage is maintained constant while measuring the charge over time.
2. Controlled Current Coulometry: The current is controlled while monitoring the time required for the reaction to
complete.

Key Equation
Applications

✔ Determination of water content using Karl Fischer Coulometry.


✔ Analysis of trace metals in environmental and pharmaceutical samples.
✔ Battery testing by measuring charge-discharge cycles.

C. Voltammetry: Current-Voltage Relationship in Electrochemical Reactions

Definition and Principle

Voltammetry is an electroanalytical technique where the current is measured as a function of the applied voltage. It
provides information about the oxidation-reduction behavior of substances and their concentrations.

Types of Voltammetry

1. Linear Sweep Voltammetry (LSV): Voltage is varied linearly over time.


2. Cyclic Voltammetry (CV): The voltage is scanned in both forward and reverse directions to study redox
reversibility.
3. Differential Pulse Voltammetry (DPV): Small pulses of voltage are applied to improve sensitivity.
Key Parameters

 Peak Potential (Ep ) – The voltage at which maximum current is observed.


 Peak Current (Ip) – The highest current measured, related to concentration.

Applications

✔ Detection of heavy metals like lead and mercury in water.


✔ Electrochemical biosensors for glucose and cholesterol monitoring.
✔ Pharmaceutical drug analysis for stability and impurities.

D. Polarography: A Special Voltammetry Using a Dropping Mercury Electrode (DME)

Polarography is a specific type of voltammetry that uses a dropping mercury electrode (DME) to measure reduction or
oxidation reactions. The current-voltage curve (polarogram) obtained is used to determine the concentration of analytes.

Advantages of Polarography

✅ Mercury electrode renews itself, preventing surface contamination.


✅ Can measure multiple components simultaneously in a solution.
✅ Highly sensitive to trace metal ions.

Applications

✔ Determination of trace metals in environmental samples.


✔ Analysis of pharmaceutical compounds for purity testing.
✔ Measurement of oxygen concentration in biological systems.

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