New era for Epton surfactant titrations

Metrohm launch the Surfactrode Refill Electrode, which not only duplicates the results generated by the "Epton" titration, but allows replacement of the toxic chloroform solvents with MIBK or Heptane

Traditionally surfactant titrations were carried out using the "Epton" method.

This technique, whilst universally excepted had some serious restrictions, firstly it used large amounts of toxic chloroform (or other similar chlorinated hydrocarbons) and secondly because of the nature of the titration one could not fully automate the analysis.

Many titration and electrode suppliers over the years have produced "totally aqueous" surfactant electrodes: whilst these worked quite well analysing the neat components, they all failed when testing the finished detergent eg washing powders, shampoos, conditioners etc.

Metrohm have now launched the revolutionary Surfactrode Refill Electrode, and already this has been accepted by the European and American test panels (9ISO and ASTM) as the industry norm.

The Surfactrode not only duplicates the results generated by the "Epton" titration, but one can also replace the toxic chloroform with other solvents eg MIBK or Heptane.

The electrode is filled on a daily basis using a modified carbon material, the titration is then carried out two-phase, utilising the non-toxic solvent.

Furthermore up to 40 samples can be analysed in a single run using the Metrohm 730 Autosampler.

Independent studies have proved that the Surfactrode in ALL cases gave exactly the same results as the "Epton" method, even samples with high pH values or high salt contents.

Back to top