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Method for determining the concentration of CYANIDE (CN-)
in Aqueous Solutions


Electrode Specifications       Links to publications on the WWW     Go to Ion Selective Electrodes page

Method for samples containing cyanide bound in heavy-metal complexes.


Apparatus Required:

Ion-Selective Electrode for cyanide ion (ELIT 8291 crystal membrane)

Reference electrode: double junction Lithium Acetate (ELIT 003n).

Dual electrode head (ELIT 201)

Standard solution: 1000 ppm CN as KCN

Buffer solution (ISAB): 10 Molar NaOH.

ELIT Computer Interface/Ion Analyser, or Ion/pH/mV meter.

150 ml polypropylene beakers, 100ml volumetric flask, 1, 2, 5, 10ml pipettes.

Calibration:

Before use, the electrodes must be calibrated by measuring a series of known standard solutions, made by serial dilution of the 1000ppm standard solution. For a full calibration, prepare 100ml of solutions containing 200, 20, 2, and 0.2ppm CN. If the approximate range of concentrations of the samples is known, and this is within the linear range of the ISE, then it is only necessary to make two solutions (preferably a decade apart) which span this range.

NB: 2 ml 10 Molar NaOH buffer solution must be added to each standard and mixed thoroughly to ensure correct pH level for electrode operation and eliminate any possibility of toxic HCN fumes.

Follow the instructions in the General Operating Instructions to measure these standard solutions and prepare a calibration graph.

Sample Preparation:

2 mls of buffer solution must be added to 100ml of each sample and stirred well before measurement.

Sample Measurement:

Follow the instructions in the electrode operating instructions to measure a series of samples and record the results. Briefly, it is important to note that, the electrodes must be washed and dried between each sample, to avoid cross contamination, and sufficient time must be allowed (2 or 3 minutes), before taking a reading after immersion, to permit the electrode signal to reach a stable value. For the highest precision, frequent recalibration is recommended (see operating instructions).

Results:

The results will be displayed as ppm and mol/l. Since buffer solution has been added equally to standards and samples then these figures will not need adjusting because they will all be affected by the same dilution factor.



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Procedure for determining the concentration of CYANIDE CN-) in water containing Heavy Metal Complexes.

Any cyanide bound up in complex formation with heavy metals is liberated by displacement with EDTA before analysing for total CN - in the conventional manner. EDTA solution can be made by dissolving 7.44g of ethylene-diamene-tetra-acetic acid in one litre of de-ionised water

Standard and Sample Preparation

Add 5ml EDTA to 50ml of solution and heat to 50°C in a fume cupboard for 5 mins. Remove from heat and immediately add 50ml of 0.2M NaOH, then cool to room temperature.

Results

Since buffer and EDTA solutions have been added equally to standards and samples the results will not need adjusting because they will all be affected by the same dilution factor.


Technical Specifications
for the Cyanide Ion-Selective Electrode
(ELIT 8291)

Click here to download a printer-friendly (pdf) Specification Sheet.

Introduction
The Cyanide Ion-Selective Electrode has a solid-state crystal membrane. The electrode is designed for the detection of cyanide ions (CN- ) in aqueous solutions and is suitable for use in both field and laboratory applications.
The Cyanide Ion is a monovalent anion .
One mole of ( CN-) has a mass of 26.018 grams, 1000 ppm is 0.038 M
Dissolve 2.503g anhydrous potassium cyanide (KCN) in 1 litre water - HAZARD WARNING!.

Physical Specifications
Length of body excluding gold contact = 130 mm
Length of body including gold contact = 140 mm
Diameter of body = 8 mm
DC resistance at 25°C : < 2.5 MOhm
Minimum feasible sample volume = 5 ml

Chemical / Operational Specifications
Preconditioning / Standard solution : Normally 1000 ppm CN - as KCN
(But see General Operating Instructions)
Preconditioning time : 5 minutes
Optimum pH range : pH 11 to pH 13
Temperature range : 0 to 80°C
Recommended ISAB : 10M NaOH (Add 2% v/v)
Recommended reference electrode : double junction (ELIT 003)
Reference electrode outer filling solution : 0.1M CH3COOLi
Electrode slope at 25°C : 56±5 mV/decade
Concentration range : 0.03 to 260 ppm (1x10-6 to 0.01 Molar)
Response time : < 10 seconds
Defined as time to complete 90% of the change in potential after immersion in the new solution.
Time for stable reading after immersion : < 1 to > 5 minutes
Depending on concentration, use of ISAB, nature of sample and stabilisation time of liquid junction potential of reference electrode.
Potential drift (in 1000 ppm) : < 3 mV/day (8 hours)
Measured at constant temperature and with ISE and Reference Electrode continually immersed.

Interference:
NB: All poly-crystalline membranes contain Silver Sulphide and thus will not give reliable readings if Ag or S ions are present in the solution. Iodide has a selectivity coefficient of 1 (equally sensitive to I and CN) therefore if any Iodide is present it will cause a significant positive error (~10%) if it is has a concentration greater than one tenth of that of the Cyanide.

Note low concentration range (only effective from 0.03 to 260 ppm CN-) and narrow and high pH range (only between pH 11 and 13).

WARNING: 10M NaOH buffer is a very caustic solution and should be handled with care.

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