What types of titrations are there?

There are multiple types of titrations used across industries.

1.  Acid/Base Titrations*

   Acid/Base titrations determine the acidity or alkalinity of a sample. Examples of this type of titration include titrations such as the alkalinity of water and citric acid in orange juice.

2. Oxidation Reduction Titrations*

   These titrations are also called redox titrations. This type of titrations involves the exchange of negatively charged electrons between one substance and another. An ORP electrode measures this reaction. An example of an ORP titration is the titration for vitamin C in wine.

3. Complexometric Titrations*

   Complexometric titrations capitalize on the fact that many metals can form temporary complexes (think a molecule-like structure) with various complexing agents (i.e. EDTA). The formation of these complexes can be used as a convenient way to determine the concentration of metals in a solution. This is done by monitoring the reaction between the metals and the complexing agent (titrant).

4. Precipitation Titrations*

   Precipitation titrations rely on chemical reactions that cause ions in your sample and the titrant to come together and form an insoluble solid. Therefore, when performing this titration you will start to see little solids appear in your solution (this is precipitate).

5. Non-Aqueous Titrations*

   Non-aqueous titrations are conducted in titrations where the sample has very minute amounts or water, no water present, or the sample has to be prepared in a solvent. Types of titrations that can be non-aqueous are acid/base titrations, redox titrations, precipitation titrations, and complexometric titrations. It's good to note that in non-aqueous titrations you will most likely need to change your electrode electrolyte and titrant to also be non-aqueous.

6. Photometric Titrations*

   Photometric titrations utilize a color change to determine the endpoint of the titration. This either occurs naturally between the titrant and the sample, or through a reaction between the sample, titrant, and a color indicator. However, instead of determining the endpoint visually with the human eye, you use a photometric electrode to automatically determine the endpoint.

7. Conductometric or Amperometric Titrations

   Conductometric titrations utilize the ionic properties of your sample and titrant, and electrode monitors the conductivity of the free ions in solution. A sudden change in the conductivity signals the end of the titration. This type of titration works best in homogenous samples.

8. Karl Fischer*

   Karl Fischer titrations determine the amount of water in a sample. There are two types of Karl Fischer titration categories: volumetric and coulometric. For a Karl Fischer titration to work, the titrant has to only interact with the water in your sample (if there are interferences, they can sometimes be negated), and you need four chemical components (methanol (or ethanol), sulfur dioxide, imidizole (base), and iodine).

*All titrations marked with an * are able to be performed using equipment from Hanna Instruments. If you have a titration that doesn't have an *, or if you have questions regarding a titration that you are doing (or looking to do), please reach out to a Hanna Specialist today!