I thought it might be possible to add a strong base to the solution to raise the pH and so bring the position of equilibrium to nearly 100% NH3 and then following this, heat the solution to dissolve any NH3 still in the aqueous solution.
Using a gas collection device I could then use pV=nRT to estimate number of moles of NH3 evaporated.
Would this work to determine %NH3?
Bertholet reaction, which develops a blue-green color using salicyclate, and a spectrophotometer. You may have to dilute your solution with water and buffer the reaction.
Use ion chromatography. To my understanding, you want to analyze ammonium as the main component at high concentrations? In that case, I would suggest using a high capacity cation exchange column in conjunction with non-suppressed conductivity. There are plenty of applications available showing this approach.
My suggestion would be the following: As you are working at a University, do a quick search which institutes are doing IC, and look for their support. In case you would like to have more details on this type of application, please do not hesitate to contact me offline.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Detlef.
But your ammonia in ammonium solution will be in ammonium ion form so you cannot quantify in ammonical solution.
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