CHM 204: Quantitative Analysis

Report 5:

Title of the experiment: Preparing buffers and Buffer capacity

Names: Hiba Kurdi, Aline Obeid, Zuheir Al-Kasti

Semester: Spring 2023

Experiment Date: 1/3/2023

 A. Purpose of the experiment:
The purpose of this experiment is to learn how to prepare buffer solutions using
Henderson-Hasselbalch equation and to test the buffer capacity experimentally by
titration with HCl and NaOH.

B. Theory:
A buffer solution is resistant to change in pH when small amounts of strong acid
or base are added. Buffers are important in many areas of chemistry. When the
pH must be controlled during a reaction, the solutions are buffered. Two species
are required in a buffer solution. One can react with OH- and the other with
H3O+. The two species must not react with each other. Buffers are usually
prepared by combining a weak acid and its conjugate base (acetic acid and
sodium acetate) or a weak base and its conjugate acid (ammonia and ammonium
chloride). In general, the pH range in which a buffer solution is effective is +/- one
pH unit on either side of the pKa of the acid component of the buffer. The
Henderson–Hasselbalch equation provides the information needed to prepare a
buffer:
𝑝𝐻 = 𝑝𝐾𝑎 + 𝑙𝑜𝑔 [𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑗𝑢𝑔𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒] [𝑤𝑒𝑎𝑘 𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑑]
The buffer pH depends on the ratio of HA/A-. There is a limit to the amount of
acid or base that can be added to a buffer solution before one of the components
is used up. This limit is called the buffer capacity and is defined as the moles of
acid or base necessary to change the pH of one liter of the solution by one unit.
The buffer capacity depends on the amount of HA (weak acid) and A- (conjugate
base) present.
C. Procedure:
For Buffer I:
1. Place 50mL of 0.10M acetic acid in a 250mL beaker.
2. The calculated mass of sodium acetate was weighed and added to the beaker
while stirring using a magnetic stirrer. When the acetate solid dissolves
completely, the pH of the solution was measured.
3. The acid was diluted 10 times (add 10mL to a 100mL volumetric flask and top
off with water). Labeled B1.
 4. The pH was approximately 5.00(4.972). Adjusted (with a dropper, 20 drops) to
5.00 using 0.100 M NaOH. 20drops = 1ml
5. B1 was titrated by the addition of 1ml of NaOH at a time. PH was recorded
after each addition.
6. NaOH solution was still added until the break of the buffer capacity (a big
jump in pH at 9.797 upon the addition of 13ml).

For buffer II:

1. 50mL of 0.30M acetic acid was added in a 250mL beaker. The calculated mass
of sodium acetate was weighed and added to the beaker while stirring using a
magnetic stirrer. When the acetate solid dissolves completely, the pH of the
solution was measured and noted down as initial pH.
2. The acid was diluted 10 times (add 10mL to a 100mL volumetric flask and top
off with water). Labeled B2.
3. The pH was approximately 5.00(4.821). Using a dropper, the pH was adjusted to
5.00 by adding using 0.100 M NaOH. Note the number of mL added of which
reagent to adjust to 5.00.
4. B2 was titrated with HCl by adding 1mL at a time; the pH after each addition
was recorded.
5. Continue adding the HCl solution until we noticed the break of the buffer
capacity (a big jump in pH).

D. Preparing buffers and buffer capacity:

Buffer I Buffer II

Volume of Acetic 50 ml +/- 0.05ml 50ml +/-0.05ml

Acid
 Mass of Acetate 0.7944g 2.46g

Exact pH read 4.972 4.852

initially
NaOH added to reach 1ml
pH 5
HCl added to reach 0
pH 5

E. Volumes of NaOH added and measured pH

for Buffer I:
Volume NaOH (ml) pH of B-I
0 5.000
1 5.062
2 5.114
3 5.225
4 5.340
5 5.360
6 5.420
7 5.562
8 5.865
9 5.878
10 6.066
11 6.424
12 6.949
13 9.779
14 9.980
15 10.465

For buffer II: volumes of HCl added and measured pH

Volume of HCl (ml) pH of B-2
0 4.780
1 4.770
2 4.765
3 4.740
4 4.735
5 4.722
6 4.717
7 4.690
8 4.680
9 4.677
10 4.664
11 4.653
12 4.641
13 4.632
14 4.623
15 4.608
16 4.602

B1 B2
Breaking volume 13ml
pH at breakage 9.779

Sources of errors:
- Fluctuations of pH readings due to electric moles
- Formation of bubbles in burette
- Errors while dilution
- Contamination of used glassware
- Impure apparatus
- False reading of volume on the line mark of the burette