Learn conductometry definition, principle, instrumentation (conductometer and Conductivity cell) and applications.
What is Conductometry in pharma?
Definition:
It is a technique to measure the conductivity of a solution.
It is based on the principle that the ability of a solution to conduct electricity is directly proportional to the concentration of ions in the solution.
Researcher in analytical chemistry widely uses this technique to determine the concentration of ions in a solution.
Principles of Conductometry
The principle is based on the fact that ions (charged particles) in a solution are able to carry an electrical charge and therefore contribute to the conductivity of the solution.
In conductometry, two electrodes are used to pass a small electric current through the solution. The amount of current passing through the solution determines its conductivity.
The more ions there are in the solution, the more electrical charge it can carry and the higher the conductivity.
The principles of conductometry are based on the following:
- Conductivity of Ions: Conductivity of a solution depends on the number of ions in it. When an electric field is applied, ions move, creating a current.
- Mobility of Ions: The speed of ion movement, or mobility, matters. It relies on ion size, charge, and solvent viscosity.
- Ionic Strength: Ionic strength is the total ion concentration. It directly affects conductivity. More ions mean higher conductivity.
Instrumentation of Conductometry
The measurement of conductivity is done by using an instrument called a conductometer.
This instrument measures the resistance of a solution to the flow of electrical current. The conductivity of a solution is calculated by taking the inverse of the resistance.
The instrumentation used in conductometry includes the following components:
1: Conductivity Cell
The conductivity cell is a device that measures the conductivity of a solution. It comprises two electrodes immersed in the solution.
The distance between the electrodes and the area of the electrodes are important factors that affect the accuracy of the measurement.
2: Conductometer
It is an instrument that measure the conductivity of a solution. It applies a voltage across the electrodes and measures the current that flows through the solution.
The conductometer also measures the temperature of the solution because the conductivity of a solution is temperature dependent.
Application of conductometry
- Quality control in chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
- Monitoring water quality and wastewater treatment.
- Analyzing acids, bases, and salts in research.
- Real-time tracking of chemical reactions.
- Measuring ion concentrations in food and drinks.
- Diagnosing medical conditions using bodily fluids.
- Studying biomolecule behavior, like proteins and DNA.
- Analyzing geological samples for composition.
- Determining solution acidity or alkalinity.
Overall, conductometry is a versatile and widely used technique that plays an important role in many areas of scientific research, industrial manufacturing, and environmental monitoring.
For pdf contact me through email.
ALSO READ What is Nepheloturbidometry? principle and application.