Evaluating Volatilization Gravimetry

Volatilization gravimetric methods are time- and labor-intensive. Equipment needs are few except when combustion gases must be trapped or for a thermogravi-metric analysis, which requires specialized equipment. 

Gravimetric methods based on precipitation or volatilization reactions require that the analyte, or some other species in the sample, participate in a chemical reaction producing a change in physical state. For example, in direct precipitation gravimetry, a soluble analyte is converted to an insoluble form that precipitates from solution. In some situations, however, the analyte is already present in a form that may be readily separated from its liquid, gas, or solid matrix. When such a separation is possible, the analyte s mass can be directly determined with an appropriate balance. In this section the application of particulate gravimetry is briefly considered. 

---