Resumen de Moisture Analysis in Lotion by Karl Fischer Coulometry. An Experiment for Introductory Analytical Chemistry
Patricia Ann Mabrouk, Kristine Castriotta
This paper describes an experiment that can be used in an introductory analytical chemistry laboratory course. It allows the student analyst to measure the moisture content of various hand and body lotions using the coulometric Karl Fischer (KF) technique, providing a modern alternative to the traditional electrochemical experiments usually explored in introductory analytical chemistry courses. The experiment introduces students to an important technique in industry and commerce, which is highly sensitive, accurate, and precise, and which can be used to study a wide range of samples. The measurement times are short, allowing students to experience the analytical problem-solving process from start to finish in a single 3-hour laboratory period. One KF coulometer can adequately service even a large analytical chemistry class (>80 students). In spring 2000, students identified the KF experiment as the most popular, most useful, and most educational experiment in our analytical chemistry laboratory curriculum.
