Formazine

Formazine is a synthetic polymer formed by the reaction of hydrazine sulfate with hexamethylenetetramine (also known as hexamine). It is primarily used as a stable and reproducible turbidity standard in water quality testing. Because it is a consistently produced, fine particulate suspension, formazine provides a reliable reference point for measuring the turbidity, or cloudiness, of water samples.

Turbidity measurements are crucial in assessing water potability and suitability for various industrial and environmental applications. Formazine standards are used in conjunction with instruments like nephelometers and turbidimeters to calibrate and verify their accuracy. The concentration of formazine in a solution is typically expressed in Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU) or Formazine Turbidity Units (FTU), which are often used interchangeably. A higher NTU/FTU value indicates a greater degree of turbidity.

The preparation and handling of formazine standards require adherence to specific protocols to ensure accurate and reliable turbidity measurements. Improper preparation or contamination can compromise the integrity of the standard and lead to inaccurate results.

While formazine is primarily used as a turbidity standard, it may also be used as an intermediate in the synthesis of other chemical compounds, although this is a less common application.