Quantitative Determination of NTA and Other Chelating Agents in Detergents by Potentiometric Titration with Copper Ion Selective Electrode

Abstract

Quantitative analysis of nitrilotriacetate (NTA) in detergents by titration with Cu²⁺ solution using a copper ion selective electrode was achieved. This method tolerates a wide range of pH and ingredients in detergents. In addition to NTA, other chelating agents, having relatively lower stability constants toward Cu²⁺, were also qualified with sufficient accuracy by this analytical method for model detergent formulations. The titration process was automated by automatic titrating systems available commercially.