Catalytic Methods of Analysis: Catalymetry – the Inorganic Sister of Enzymatic Analysis

Catalytic methods for determination of inorganic ions are frequently labelled as catalymetry. It is the analogue of enzymatic methods of analysis. This short lecture text will be most easily understandable for everybody who is already acquainted with the basics of enzymatic analysis. Catalymetry is based on measuring the rate of catalytic chemical reactions in homogeneous solutions, and it can also be performed by measuring the currents on electrodes, when these are caused by catalysts dissolved in solutions. These two variants of analysis are in the focus of this paper. Substrates dissolved in solution can be determined, when the catalyst is immobilised on the electrode surface. Such electrocatalytic systems using immobilized enzymes, are most popular as biosensors, e.g., glucose sensors.