Abstract
In this study the analytical determination of gold and palladium in jewelry alloys was achieved by means of one shot potentiometric titration. The practical aspects of this procedure were investigated and discussed in order to define the optimal conditions for the simultaneous quantitative determination of the two elements using commercially-available equipment (Mettler-Toledo DL-50 automatic titrator and DS500 electrode).
The accuracy and precision of the method was tested on several commercial alloys containing large and small amounts of Au and Pd, their content being determined down to 7‰ (Au) and 50‰ (Pd). The relative error of the potentiometric titrations was found to be consistent with the limits accepted for the standard analytical methods (0.5 ‰ Au and 10 ‰ Pd). It is demonstrated that the proposed method can be used as a robust and affordable alternative procedure in the routine analysis of both low and high grade Pd- and Au-bearing alloys.
Keywords: Cetylpyridinium chloride, cupellation, gold alloys, palladium alloys, potentiometric titration, surface modified electrodes.
Graphical Abstract
20
2
1
1