A new type of a spectrometric microtitration set up

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Instrumentation Science

Background:

• Traditional titration methods often require larger sample volumes and can be time-consuming.
• Developing microscale analytical systems is crucial for reducing reagent consumption and improving efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel spectrometric microtitrator with a unique vertical optical geometry.
• To assess the system's flexibility, precision, and applicability in real-life titrations.

Main Methods:

• Integration of a spectrometer, microreaction chamber, and tri-colour light-emitting diode (LED) light source.
• Implementation of a novel vertical optical geometry and a syringe pump for precise reagent delivery.
• Utilizing a 10-channel module for flexible control of titration protocols and mixing rates.

Main Results:

• The system demonstrated precise control over reagent addition (0.87–21.8 µL/min) and mixing rates (1.6–4.8 s).
• Successful application in various titrations, including iodometric, CO2 determination, and EDTA titrations, with sample volumes as low as 220 µL.
• Achieved low coefficients of variation (1.2–2.4%) for endpoint volume determination, indicating high precision.

Conclusions:

• The developed spectrometric microtitrator offers a flexible, precise, and efficient platform for microscale titrations.
• The novel vertical optical geometry is effective for real-life applications, enabling reduced sample and reagent volumes.