A portable eight-channel titrator based on high-throughput capacitively coupled contactless conductivity measurements

Abstract Analytical chemists require multichannel and automatic tools for batch measurements. Herein, an eight-channel electronic titrator (8-CET) system was constructed to facilitate high-throughput titrations. In this system, multichannel piston pumps were used for delivery, and an 8-channel capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detector (8-C 4 D) was used to monitor the conductivity of the titration solutions in arrays of disposable reaction cells. The delivery and the monitoring were both fully software-controlled allowing a simultaneous formation of eight titration curves. Its capacity for classical acid-base and precipitation titration was characterized with satisfactory results. It was also used to measure the content of CH 3 COOH in batched vinegar samples. The RSD between each reaction cell was 1.9%. There are two outstanding features of this new system: 1) Up to eight samples can be measured simultaneously; and 2) simple operation is realized by avoiding electrode switching and cleaning after each measurement. Therefore, it is reasonable to believe that this 8-CET system is a prospective alternative for developing more automatic and efficient titration platforms.