Electrogravimetric Analysis V SEMESTER

Inorganic chemistry

Electrogravimetry
In Electro-gravimetric analysis the element to be determined is deposited
electrolytically upon a suitable electrode (platinum electrode). Filtration is not
required, and provided the experimental conditions are carefully controlled,
Electro-deposition is governed by Ohm's Law and by Faraday's two Laws
of Electrolysis
1. The amounts of substances liberated (or dissolved) at the electrodes of a ce11
are directly proportional to the quantity of electricity which passes through the
solution.
2. The amounts of different substances liberated or dissolved by the same quantity
of electricity are proportional to their relative atomic (or molar) masses divided by
the number of electrons involved in the respective electrode
processes.
Ohm's Law expresses the relation between the three fundamental quantities,
current, electromotive force, and resistance:
The current I is directly proportional to the electromotive force E and
indirectly proportional to the resistance R, i.e.
I = E/R
There are two types of electro gravimetric methods
i) Constant Current Electrolysis
ii) Constant Potential Electrolysis
Estimation of Copper constant current procedure
Copper may be deposited from either sulphuric or nitric acid solution, but,
usually, a mixture of the two acids is employed. If such a solution is electrolysed
with an e.m.f. of 2-3 volts the following reactions occur:

Apparatus required
i) A constant current electrolytic unit like Sargent Solmin electrolytic analyser.
ii) Platinum gauzy electrode is taken as cathode.
iii) Platinum rod electrode is taken as anode.

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BIBI AHMADI KHATOON DEPT OF CHEMISTRY
Yuvaraja’s College Mysore
Electrogravimetric Analysis V SEMESTER
Inorganic chemistry

Preparation of electrodes
1.Platinum electrode are washed with conc HNO3 by immersing it for 5 to 10
minutes to remove grease and other organic depositions
2. It is then washed with distilled water and then with ethanol several times.
3. It is dried in an electric oven at 110 °C. The gauzy electrode (cathode) is then
weighed
Procedure:
The unknown sample solution containing-copper is taken in a 250 cm 3 beaker.
To this 25cm3 distilled water, 4 cm 3 of con. Sulphuric acid and 1 cm 3 of con.
Nitric acid are added. It is then cooled and diluted to 100cm 3. The
electrodes are connected to the electrolytic analyser and gently lowered
into the sample solution. The stirring motor is switched on and a current
of 1-2 ampere is passed, with the voltage preferably less than 4V. This
electrolysis is done for 15-30 minutes till the bluish colour of Cu 2+
disappears and 'entire deposition of copper has taken place at the
cathode. The cathode is then removed dried at 110 ° C for 5 minutes. It is
then cooled to room temperature and weighed. The difference in weight
of the cathode before and after electrolysis gives the weight of copper
deposited.

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BIBI AHMADI KHATOON DEPT OF CHEMISTRY
Yuvaraja’s College Mysore