BUFFERS

PREPARED BY: GICELLE JEANNE F. RUFIÑO, RPh

BUFFERS

A buffer is a solution that can resist pH

change upon the addition of an acidic or
basic components. It is able to neutralize
small amounts of added acid or base, thus
maintaining the pH of the solution relatively
stable. This is important for processes
and/or reactions which require specific and
stable pH ranges. Buffer solutions have a
working pH range and capacity which
dictate how much acid/base can be
neutralized before pH changes, and the
amount by which it will change.
BUFFERS
 WHAT IS IN THE BUFFER?

1. WEAK ACID OR WEAK BASE

2. IT’S CONJUGATE SALT

Conjugate is a
compound that
differs by 1 H+.

Ex. NH3 = NH4

BUFFERS
BUFFERS
 IDENTIFY THE BUFFER

WEAK ACID OR WEAK BASE

IT’S CONJUGATE SALT

a. HCl and NaCl = HCl is a strong acid

Li+
b.HClO and LiClO2 = LiClO2 ClO2-
K+
c. HF and KF = KF F-
CH3NH3
d.CH3NH2 and CH3NH3Cl = CH3NH3Cl Cl-
1. What is the pH of the solution consisting of 0.75M HC2H3O2 and 0.50M NaC2H3O2?
Ka = HC2H3O2 1.8 x 10-5.
acid base
𝐵
pH = pKa + log ( )
𝐴
pKa = - log (Ka)
0.50 𝑀
pH = 4.75 + log ( 0.75 𝑀 ) = - log (1.8 x 10-5)
= 4.57 = 4.75

PH < pKa
2. What is the pH of the solution consisting of 0.15M NH4Cl and 1.5M NH3? The Kb of
NH3 is 1.8 a 10-5.
acid base
𝐵
pH = pKa + log ( ) 𝐴 pKb = - log (Kb)
1.5 𝑀 = - log (1.8 x 10-5)
pH = 9.26 + log ( 0.15 𝑀 ) = 4.75
= 10.26
pKa + pKb = 14
PH > pKa
14- pKb = pKa
14 – 4.75 = 9.26
 BUFFER CAPACITY

Aka: Buffer Index ; Buffer Value ; Buffer Efficiency

Buffer capacity (β) is defined as the moles of an acid or base necessary to change the pH of a
solution by 1, divided by the pH change and the volume of buffer in liters; it is a unitless number.
A buffer resists changes in pH due to the addition of an acid or base though consumption of
the buffer.
3.) 5 moles of acid is required to change the pH of 1 liter of buffer by 2 units. Find
buffer capacity.
𝑁𝑜.𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑛 𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑑 𝑖𝑛 1 𝐿
Buffer Capacity = ( )
𝑝𝐻

5
Buffer Capacity =( )
2
= 2.5
END OF SLIDES…