Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Vol.830, 50-55, 2018
Quantification of triethanolamine through measurement of catalytic current in alkaline iron-D-gluconate solution
Triethanolamine is widely used in cosmetics and detergent formulations. Through its negative redox potential of -1050 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl, 3M KCl) the Fe(II/III)-triethanolamine complex also is of interest as electrolyte it redox-flow batteries. Thus an analytical method to determine triethanolamine concentrations in complex for mulations is of distinct technical value. In cyclic voltammetry a catalytic current is observed when Fe(III) triethanolamine complexes are reduced in presence of an excess Fe(III)-D-gluconate. The catalytical regeneration of the Fe(III)-triethanolamine complex occurs at its characteristic cathodic peak potential (4), of -1050 mV ant thus permits analytical determination of low triethanolamine concentrations. In CV experiments a linear re lationship between triethanolamine concentration and (4), at -1050 mV was observed for triethanolamin, concentrations between 0.05 and 1 mM in an electrolyte containing 15 mM Fe(III)-u-gluconate and 0.4 M NaOH As an example, electrolytes from an all-iron redox-flow cell were analysed for possible transfer of triethanola mine through the ion exchange membrane. The standard addition method was used to minimise matrix effect on the determination of the cathodic peak currents (I-p)(c). The new method permits a direct analysis of triethanolamine concentration without extensive sample preparation or highly specialised equipment. This makes the, technique useful as a routine method for triethanolamine analysis in a wide range of technical applications.
Keywords:Cyclic voltammetry;Catalytic current;Triethanolamine;Iron hexacyanoferrate;Iron-D-gluconate