CARBON DETERMINATION IN SMALL AMOUNTS OF CERAMIC POWDER BY COULOMBIC TITRATION

A new method for carbon determination in small samples was demonstrate d, This method involves coulometric titration of an oxygen titrant thr ough a solid-electrolyte (yttria-stabilized zirconia) tube. Oxygen is electrolytically introduced to a sealed sample chamber, and the partia l pressure of oxygen is monitored as more oxygen is pumped, The point at which the oxygen partial pressure begins to rise is the end point, The method can accurately determine microgram quantities of carbon in 15-mg samples. This method can determine microgram quantities of carbo n and is, therefore, more sensitive than conventional combustion analy sis, This method is ideal for investigating the carbon content of indi vidual small electrical ceramic parts, such as multilayer ceramic capa citors.