Key Considerations in the Determination of Polyelectrolyte Concentration by the Colloidal Titration Method

Medium or high charge density cationic polyelectrolytes are frequently used for water treatment. In the papermaking wet-end they are used as retention agents or as flocculating aids. Negative polyelectrolytes that enter the papermaking system increase the demand for cationic polyelectrolytes. Polyelectrolyte concentration can be determined by the colloidal titration method, using either of two options for detecting the endpoint: i) visual observation or spectrophotometric determination of the colour change of an indicator, or ii) streaming current measurement. This work discusses the best conditions for the application of the titration using spectrophotometric measurement for the end point detection. Polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride was used as the cationic polyelectrolyte, potassium polyvinyl sulphate as the negative polyelectrolyte, and o-toluidine blue as the positive indicator dye. The polyelectrolyte concentration range, interference from the metal ions affecting the indicator color change, the optimal indicator concentration to avoid precipitation problems, and the effect of adding a surfactant to the indicator solution were also considered. Titration curves were analyzed and optimized. Under these conditions the technique provided results with acceptable precision.