pH Buffer

 

pH Buffer

What are pH Buffers?

PH buffers are special solutions which prevent large variations in pH levels. Every pH level produced has a specified buffer capacity and buffer range. The capacity of the buffer refers to the amount of acid or base which can be added before the pH alters substantially. It may also be characterized as the level of strong acid or base that needs to be added to alter  the pH of a liter of solution by one pH unit. The buffer range is the pH range where a buffer can effectively neutralize added acids and bases whilst maintaining a steady pH. This is critical for processes or reactions which need specific and stable pH ranges.

Using pH Buffers to Achieve Accurate Measurements

All experienced chemists will be extremely confident with the idea of pH value. The pH value of a substance pertains to the negative logarithm of hydrogen ion activity. Sometimes this is known as the potential of hydrogen in an aqueous solution. The pH of a solution is on a scale of 0-14 and is a temperature-dependent property, with water having a neutral pH of 7.47 at 0°C and 6.14 at 100°C.

To measure the pH value of a solution, potentiometers are usually employed, producing a 0 millivolt (mV) differential a reference and sensing electrode at pH 7. Changes in acidity or alkalinity with impact the electrode output and offer a precise electrochemical foundation for estimating the pH value. Estimating the pH value is only as accurate as the pH buffers used.

The Importance of using pH Buffer Solutions

PH buffers are often known as a hydrogen ion buffer and are  aqueous solutions which have a traceable pH value that alters negligibly when combined with small amounts of acids or bases. PH buffers are usually made up of a combination of a conjugate base and a weak acid that absorbs excess hydrogen atoms to retain a stable pH value in solution. As such, they work well for calibrating electrochemical potentiometers for pH measurements with a low uncertainty to enhance traceability.

Chemists are increasingly following the NIST framework of pH metrology to create a chain of responsibility from the standard reference material (SRM) manufacturer all the way to the end-user. NIST-traceable pH buffers also set the benchmark for creating reliable pH measurements throughout the widest range of applications with uncertainties of values as little as 0.01 pH units.

If you are looking for pH buffers, Inorganic Ventures is at the forefront of supplying NIST-traceable certified reference materials for pH measurements and analytical chemistry. We are specialists in creating custom solutions for particular client workflows and offer complete documentation which ensures total accountability and reliability. If you would like to find out more, contact us today.

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