High-throughput photometric titrimetry based on a feedback-based and subsequent fixed triangular wave-controlled flow ratiometry.

The principle of flow ratiometry for high-throughput titration, which we recently proposed for potentiometric titration, was extended to photometric titration. The flow rate (FB) of a base solution containing an acid-base indicator was linearly varied in response to a control voltage (Vc) generated from a computer. With the total (acid + base) flow rate (FT) being kept constant, the base solution was merged with an acid solution, which was aspirated to the confluence point at a flow rate of FT - FB. Downstream, the relative transmittance of the mixed solution was measured at the maximum absorption wavelength of the base form of the indicator. Initially, a feedback-based control was applied, where the scan direction of Vc was reversed from upward to downward, and vice versa, whenever the transition of the indicator at the equivalence point (EP) was sensed. Next, the scan range of V. was further limited to the range just around EP by using fixed triangular waves. These processes avoided scanning in a range of no interest. Thus, an unprecedentedly high throughput rate (maximally 34 titrations per minute, corresponding to 1.76 s per titration) was realized with reasonable precision (RSD < 0.5%).