A deuterium-palladium electrode as a new sensor in non-aqueous solutions: potentiometric titration of weak acids in acetonitrile and benzonitrile

Abstract

A deuterium-palladium electrode was employed as a new indicator electrode for the titration of weak acids in acetonitrile and benzonitrile. The investigated electrode showed a linear dynamic response for p-toluenesulfonic acid in the concentration range from 0.001 M to 0.1 M with a Nernstian slope of 48 mV in acetonitrile. Sodium methylate, potassium hydroxide and tetrabutylammonium hydroxide proved to be very suitable titrating agents for these titrations. The response time was less than 10-11 s and the lifetime of the electrode was limitless. Advantages of the electrode are: long-term stability, fast response, reproducibility, easy preparation and low cost.