Silver Nitrate 0.1 N Solution

• What it is. This silver nitrate solution is a 0.1 N (0.1 M) volumetric titrant, available in 1-quart and 1-gallon sizes. It is a clear, colorless standard for determining chloride, bromide, iodide, and other species by argentometric titration.
• Molar equals normal. Silver nitrate reacts with halides 1:1, so its normality equals its molarity. A 0.1 N solution contains about 16.99 g of AgNO3 per liter, and each milliliter precipitates 3.545 mg of chloride (calculated).
• The Mohr method. In the Mohr method, chloride is titrated with silver nitrate using potassium chromate indicator. White silver chloride precipitates first; once chloride is used up, excess silver forms red-brown silver chromate, marking the endpoint. The titration must be run between pH 6.5 and 9.
• The Volhard method. In the Volhard method, a measured excess of silver nitrate precipitates the halide, and the remaining silver is back-titrated with standard thiocyanate using ferric alum indicator. The method works in acid solution and suits samples where the Mohr method's pH range is impractical.
• Light sensitivity. Silver nitrate solutions slowly darken in light as silver ions are reduced to metallic silver. Store the solution in the dark and restandardize it periodically against dried sodium chloride.
• Handling at a glance. Silver nitrate stains skin and surfaces black when it contacts organic material and can irritate eyes and skin. It is also harmful to aquatic life. Wear gloves and safety glasses, and collect silver waste for recovery or hazardous waste disposal.
• Two sizes. The 1-quart size (ZS0206-32) suits occasional chloride testing and teaching labs, while the 1-gallon size (ZS0206-128) supports QC and environmental labs that titrate daily.
• Calculating results. Chloride (mg) equals the titrant volume (mL) multiplied by the standardized normality and 35.45. Divide by the sample volume in liters to report mg/L, subtracting an indicator blank when using the Mohr method.
• Where it is used. Laboratories use 0.1 N silver nitrate to determine chloride in water, food, brines, and process streams; to measure salt content in foods; for halide determinations in chemicals and pharmaceuticals; and for cyanide titrations with a silver-sensitive indicator.

Technical Specifications

Available Variants

• ZS0206-32: 1 quart for occasional testing and teaching labs.
• ZS0206-128 (SN1710-38): 1 gallon for daily QC and environmental testing.

Applications / Common Uses

• Chloride in water: Determines chloride by Mohr or potentiometric titration.
• Salt in foods: Measures sodium chloride content.
• Halide assays: Determines bromide and iodide.
• Brines and process streams: Monitors chloride in industrial solutions.
• Cyanide titration: Titrates cyanide with a silver-sensitive indicator.

Storage, Handling & Shipping

Store tightly closed at room temperature in a dark place, away from light, reducing agents, organic materials, ammonia, and halides. Light slowly reduces silver ions to metallic silver, so protect the solution from light and re-standardize periodically.

• Incompatible materials: Reducing agents, organic materials, ammonia and ammonium compounds, halides, and strong bases.
• Exposure limit (soluble silver, as Ag): NIOSH REL and OSHA PEL 0.01 mg/m³ TWA.
• Spill response: Absorb with inert material and collect for silver recovery or hazardous waste disposal.
• First aid: Eyes: rinse with water for several minutes. Skin: wash; dark stains fade as skin renews.

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