Newbie's question about even simpler DIY test for mg/mL nicotine

[Malawi]

Yea, if I now understand it correctly, pH only gives you a real rough hint about alkalinity/acidity, and can in no ways give even roughly accurate readings about it. Further from neutral even the "rough hint" seems to suggest too accurate a result =)

I have been fiddeling a bit with PH, and if I remember correctly(Arrest me if wrong) -
The PH is a measurement of free hydrogen(or hydrogen ions), but it's "turned upside-down". The lower the PH, the more free hydrogen ions. The hydrogen-ions will easily form connections with other substances and hence etch them away(make them a part of the solution). With high-PH solutions there are a lack of hydrogen-ions, and will tend to deposit solids from the solution. At PH7 there is a balance between hydrogen-ions and the other materials.

Also - PH is not an "even scale" as in percent, but more like decibel. for every PH-point the concentration increases/decreases 10-fold(or sumthin like that).

BTW: Would be nice if I could buy a small bottle from you.

 

[ambition]

Yeah, exactly right. Especially about it being non linear.

The important thing to know is that pH can change rapidly. Around the equivalence point just a couple of drops of acid can send the pH tumbling down.

 

[Sam79]

Yeah, exactly right. Especially about it being non linear.

The important thing to know is that pH can change rapidly. Around the equivalence point just a couple of drops of acid can send the pH tumbling down.

Ya, and thats the whole reason why determining the nicotine (alkaloid) level of base liquid (provided that there are no other alkaloids present) cannot be done by measuring pH, but needs to be determined by calculating the acid needed to neutralize them.

And for you EU people who are wrestling to find Bromothymol blue somewhere that dont take 108€ in shipping, and sell only in 10kg+ packs... I found it here:

Bromothymol Blue, 0.04%, PH Indicator Solution, 50ml - Chemicals - Oilybits.com - The U.K's Premier Bio Fuel Equipment Superstore

Seems legit, but well see in a week if it arrives =)

 

[Sam79]

The indicator arrived last week, allso got my hands on a suitable acid solution.

Tested 2 bases allready

Flavourarts "9mg heaven juice" and cig-eliquid "52mg PG base" both tests resulted the liquid being exactly spot on what it says on the label.

Allso noteworthy... Neither of the liquids have any kind of residual flavour on them.

So I am one happy panda =P

 

[markfm]

As a side note, there's something called API Fresh Water Test Solution that is apparently actually BB. See post 35 and following: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ng-nicotine-base-liquids-no-flavorings-4.html

 

[Sam79]

Cool.

Im pretty sure that the aquarium store I visited while searching packed those, but package or manual didnt say what the indicator was and staff sure as hell didnt know... Wich is kindof weird =/

 

[Malawi]

I am an aquarium geek, and I do not think Bromothymol Blue are used. In a fish-tank you do not need the same precision in finding the PH. The PH-tests you use give a range of colors and are probably the same as lackmus-paper.

If something blue is used by aquarists, it's probably Methylene Blue that may be used as medication. Mainly to kill of fungus.