Chemistry 1B Experiment 11 49

11
Buffer Solutions

Introduction
Any solution that contains both a weak acid HA and its conjugate base A– in
significant amounts is a buffer solution. A buffer is a solution that will tend to maintain
its pH when small amounts of either acid or base are added to it. Buffer solutions can be
made to maintain almost any pH, depending on the acid-base pair used. The pH of a
buffer solution is determined by the Ka of the acid and by the ratio of concentrations of
HA and A–. This can be calculated by rearranging the expression for the Ka of the
conjugate acid of the buffer:
[H3O+ ][A ! ] [HA]
Ka = becomes [H3O+ ] = K a
[HA] [A ! ]
The rearranged equation shows that the H3O+ ion concentration of the buffer solution can
be found by multiplying the Ka of the acid by the ratio of the molar concentrations of the
two components. To solve directly for the pH of the buffer, the equation can be put into
logarithmic form. If the above equation is rearranged and the negative log of both sides is
taken, a new form of the equation known as the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation results.
[A ! ]
pH = pKa + log Henderson-Hasselbalch equation
[HA]
A buffer solution can maintain its approximate pH when an acid or a base is
added to it because it can react with both acids and bases. If a strong acid (H3O+) is
added, the basic component of the buffer (A–) can react with it, and if a strong base (OH–
) is added, the acidic component of the buffer (HA) will react with it.
H3O+ (aq) + A– (aq) ⎯→ HA (aq) + H2O (l)
OH (aq) + HA (aq) ⎯→ H2O (l) + A– (aq)
–

In this way, any strong acid or strong base that is added to the buffer solution is converted
into a weak acid or weak base. The ratio of weak acid to weak base changes, which
causes the pH to change slightly, but not drastically.

50 Chemistry 1B Experiment 11
 Buffer solutions are most effective when both components, the conjugate acid and
the conjugate base, are present in reasonably large concentrations. If this is the case, the
buffer is said to have a high buffer capacity. Also, a buffer is most effective when there
are approximately equal concentrations of the two buffer components (a ratio of [X–
]/[HX] close to 1/1) because in this case the solution will guard against large pH changes
equally well whether acid is added or base is added.
In order for the solution to be considered a buffer, this ratio must be between a
1/10 and a 10/1 ratio of [X-]/[HX]. This restriction means that the [H3O+] in the buffer
will be within a factor of 10 of the Ka value of the conjugate acid. It also means that the
pH of the buffer will be within one pH unit of the value of the pKa of the conjugate acid.
For example, suppose you wanted to make a buffer containing phosphoric acid (H3PO4)
and dihydrogen phosphate (H2PO4–). Since the Ka of H3PO4 is 7.5 × 10-3 and the pKa is
2.12, as shown in the table below, the pH of this buffer would have to be between 1.12
and 3.12. If you wanted to make a buffer with a pH outside of this range, you would
have to choose a different conjugate acid-base pair.

Buffer Solutions That Can Be Made With H3PO4 and H2PO4–

Ka pKa [H2 PO4 – ] [H3PO4 ] [H2 PO4 ! ]
[H3O+ ] = K a pH = pKa + log
[H PO ] [H2 PO4 ! ] [H3PO4 ]
3 4
1/10 7.5 × 10–2 1.12
7.5 × 10–3 2.12 1/1 7.5 × 10–3 2.12
10/1 7.5 × 10–4 3.12

In this experiment, you will be assigned a pH value, and you will prepare a buffer
solution having that pH. There will be two sets of acid-base pairs available in the lab.
These are:
1. Acetic acid (CH3CO2H, Ka = 1.8 × 10–5) and sodium acetate (NaC2H3O2).
2. Ammonium chloride (NH4Cl, Ka for NH4+ = 5.6 × 10–10) and ammonia (NH3).
The buffer will be prepared by choosing the appropriate acid-base pair, calculating the
molar ratio of acid to base that will produce the assigned pH, and then mixing the
calculated amounts of the two compounds with enough deionized water to make 200. mL
of buffer solution.
A solution with approximately the same pH as the buffer solution will be prepared
by diluting a solution of a strong acid or a strong base. This solution will not be a buffer
solution, as can be shown by comparing its buffering ability to that of the buffer solution.
Finally, a known amount of strong acid or base will be added to the buffer solution.
Before adding this acid or base, the pH change that the addition should cause will be
calculated. The observed pH change will be compared to the calculated value.

Chemistry 1B Experiment 11 51
Experimental Procedure
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: Wear your SAFETY GOGGLES. Use the concentrated
acetic acid and ammonia solutions in the FUME HOOD. If any acid or base solution
splashes on your skin, wash it off immediately with copious amounts of running water.
WASTE DISPOSAL: All waste from this experiment should be poured down the drain,
followed by plenty of running water.

Part 1 - Preparing the Buffer Solution

Prelab Calculations
1. Obtain a pH assignment from your instructor.
2. Decide which of the two available buffer systems you should use.
3. Determine the ratio of [A–]/[HA] needed in the buffer.
4. Which component will be more concentrated, A– or HA? Choose a value for the
concentration of that component anywhere in the range 0.2 – 0.6 M. Calculate what
the concentration of the other component should be.
5. Calculate the volume (in mL) of 17.5 M CH3CO2H or 14.8 M NH3 needed to make
200 mL of your buffer. Calculate the mass (in g) of solid NaCH3CO2·3H2O or
NH4Cl needed to make 200 mL of your buffer.
Procedure
Measure out the amounts of the buffer components needed, add them to about 100
mL of deionized water in a 250-mL Erlenmeyer flask. Swirl until all the solids are
dissolved. Pour the mixture into a large graduated cylinder, and dilute it to a total volume
of 200 mL. Pour it back and forth between the graduated cylinder and your flask so that
it is thoroughly mixed. Store the buffer solution in the flask.
Set up a pH meter at your desk and calibrate it according to the instructions.
Remember that the electrode of the pH meter is FRAGILE! Also, remember to rinse the
electrode off with deionized water when transferring it between different solutions.
Pour about 50 mL of your buffer solution into a small beaker and measure the pH.
The pH of the solution should be close to the expected value but might not be exactly the
same. A minor discrepancy will not affect the results of the remainder of the experiment.
There are several possible reasons for the pH meter reading being different from
the expected pH. One is that some of the volatile component of your buffer may have
escaped from the solution into the air. Another is the fact that the Ka values for acids
vary with temperature. The values usually reported are accurate for 25°C.

Part 2- Preparing a Solution with the Same pH by Dilution of a Strong Acid or Base
The pH of a typical acetic acid-acetate buffer solution is between 4 and 5. A
solution with a pH in this range can easily be prepared by diluting a solution of strong

52 Chemistry 1B Experiment 11
acid, such as HCl, until the hydronium ion concentration is between 10–4 and 10–5 M.
Similarly, a typical ammonium ion-ammonia buffer solution has a pH between 9 and 10.
A dilute solution of NaOH with [OH–] between 10–4 and 10–5 M will also be in this pH
range. These solutions, however will not act as buffer solutions. In this section of the
experiment, you will prepare a solution with approximately the same pH as your buffer
solution by diluting a more concentrated solution of strong acid or base.
Prelab Calculations
If your buffer is acidic, calculate the volume (in mL) of 0.0010 M HCl needed to prepare
100 mL of a solution that has the same pH as your buffer.
If your buffer is basic, calculate the volume (in mL) of 0.0010 M NaOH needed to
prepare 100 mL of a solution that has the same pH as your buffer.
Procedure
Prepare your unbuffered solution, by diluting the calculated amount of 0.0010 M
HCl or 0.0010 M NaOH solution to a final volume of 100 mL. Measure its pH. Again,
the reading on the pH meter may not display the pH expected for the solution. The pH of
solutions as dilute as this can be affected by small amounts of impurities, including CO2
dissolved in the water. The pH can be adjusted if desired, but the comparison of this
solution to the buffer solution will work even if the pH values of the two are not the
same.

Part 3 - Comparing the Buffering Abilities of the two Solutions

Procedure
To test the buffering abilities of the solutions, 0.1 M HCl or 0.1 M NaOH will be
added. If the solutions are acidic, add 0.1 M NaOH, and if they are basic, add 0.1 M HCl.
Place the pH electrode in the 50 mL of buffer solution tested earlier. Re-measure
the pH, then add 5 drops of 0.1 M NaOH or 0.1 M HCl solution (see above). Carefully
swirl the solution, making sure not to bump the electrode, and record the new pH. Repeat
the procedure with another 5 drops of NaOH or HCl. How much did the pH change upon
the addition of these amounts of HCl or NaOH?
Rinse off the electrode with deionized water, place it in the nonbuffered solution,
and measure the pH. Follow the same procedure as you used for the buffer solution.
Add 5 drops of drops of HCl or NaOH, and record the new pH. Add 5 more drops, and
record the pH. It is important to follow the same procedure so that you can more
accurately compare the two solutions. How much did the pH change for the unbuffered
solution? How do the pH changes compare for the buffered and unbuffered solutions?

Part 4 - Changing the pH of a Buffer Solution

The pH of a buffer solution does change when large amounts of strong acid or
strong base are added to it. Addition of strong acid uses up the conjugate base of the

Chemistry 1B Experiment 11 53
buffer, and addition of strong base uses up the conjugate acid. The pH of the buffer
changes because the ratio of conjugate acid to conjugate base has been changed.
In this part of the experiment, enough 1.0 M HCl will be added to 100. mL of the
buffer solution to react with half of the conjugate base in the solution. The observed
change in pH will be compared to the pH change expected on the basis of the prelab
calculation.
Prelab Calculations
1. How many moles of base (NH3 or C2H3O2–) are in 100 mL of the buffer solution you
prepared? What is half of this amount? This is the number of moles of HCl that you
will add to the solution.
2. Calculate the volume (in mL) of 1.0 M HCl needed to supply this number of moles.
That is the amount needed to react with half of the conjugate base in 100 mL of your
buffer solution.
3. What should the pH be after this amount of HCl is added? What is the expected
change in pH of the buffer?
Procedure
Add this volume of 1.0 M HCl to 100 mL of the buffer solution, and measure the
pH. Record the change in pH. Compare the expected (calculated) pH change to the
actual pH change of the buffer.

Sample Calculations
Part 1 – Preparing a Buffer Solution
Sample calculations will be done for an assigned pH of 2.50.
A pH of 2.50 corresponds to a [H3O+] = 10–2.50 = 3.162 × 10–3 M. Phosporic
acid (H3PO4) and sodium dihydrogen phosphate (NaH2PO4) could be used to make this
buffer, because Ka for H3PO4 (Ka = 7.5 × 10–3) is close to the desired [H3O+].
[H 2PO4 – ] [H PO – ] Ka 7.5 ! 10 –3 2.372
The ratio should be 2 4 = + = –3 =
[H3PO4 ] [H3PO4 ] [H3O ] 3.162 ! 10 1
H2PO4– will be the most concentrated component of this buffer system. We will
arbitrarily choose its concentration to be 0.50 M. This means that the concentration of
H3PO4 should be 0.50 M ÷ 2.372 = 0.2108 M
To make 200 mL of the buffer solution, we will need to measure out a certain
volume of concentrated phosphoric acid, which is available as a 14.7 M aqueous solution.
And we will need to weigh out a certain mass of sodium dihydrogen phosphate, which is
available as the hydrated solid, NaH2PO4·2H2O (the waters of hydration are included in
the molar mass).
To make 200 mL of a 0.2108 M phosphoric acid solution,

54 Chemistry 1B Experiment 11
 0.2108 M
200 mL × = 2.87 mL of concentrated phosphoric acid needed.
14.7 M
To make 200 mL of a 0.50 M sodium dihydrogen phosphate solution,
0.50 mol 156.0 g
0.200 L × × = 15.60 g of NaH2PO4·2H2O needed.
L mol
So, to prepare the buffer solution, we will mix 2.87 mL of concentrated H3PO4
and 15.60 grams of NaH2PO4·2H2O with enough water to make 200 mL of solution.

Part 2- Preparing a Solution with the Same pH by Dilution of a Strong Acid or Base
To make 100 mL of a solution with pH = 2.50 ([H3O+] = 3.162 × 10–3 M), we
will dilute a 0.10 M HCl solution. (Note, in your experiment, you will be diluting an
0.0010 M HCl solution or an 0.0010 M NaOH solution.)
3.162 ! 10–3 M
100 mL × = 3.16 mL of 0.10 M HCl needed
0.10 M
So, to prepare the unbuffered solution, we will mix 3.16 mL of 0.10 M HCl with
enough water to make 100 mL of solution.

Part 4 - Changing the pH of a Buffer Solution

We will take 100 mL of the buffer solution, and add enough 1.0 M HCl to react
with half of the moles of H2PO4–, the conjugate base.
0.50 mol
0.100 L × = 0.050 moles of H2PO4– are present in 100 mL
L
0.025 moles of H2PO4– will be react with 0.025 moles of HCl.
L
0.025 mol HCl × = 0.025 L or 25 mL of 1.0 M HCl will be
1.0 mol
added.
So, to change the pH of our buffer solution, we will take 100 mL of our original
buffer solution, and add 25 mL of 1.0 M HCl to it.
All of the added HCl will react with the H2PO4–. Some H2PO4– will be used up,
and more H3PO4 will be formed.
H3O+ (aq) + H2PO4– (aq) ⎯→ H3PO4 (aq) + H2O (l)
Before reaction 0.025 mol 0.050 mol 0.021 mol lots
–0.025 mol –0.025 mol +0.025 mol
After reaction 0 0.025 mol 0.046 mol

+ (moles H3 PO4 ) (7.5 ! 10 –3 )(0.046)

[H3O ] = K a ! = = 1.38 × 10–2 M
(moles H 2 PO4 ) (0.025)

Chemistry 1B Experiment 11 55
 So, after the addition of HCl, the new pH will be –log (2.01 × 10–2) = 1.86. The
expected change in pH will be 1.86 – 2.50 = –0.64 pH units.

Additional Questions (for the finished lab report)

1. For each of these desired pH values, choose a weak acid-conjugate base pair from
your textbook that could be used to prepare a buffer solution with that pH.
Calculate the desired [A–]/[HA] ratio in each case.
(a) pH = 6.00 (b) pH = 8.00 (c) pH = 11.00

2. 500 mL of a buffer solution contains 0.050 mol NaHSO3 and 0.031 mol Na2SO3.
(a) What is the pH of the solution?
(b) Write the net ionic equation for the reaction that occurs when NaOH is added to
this buffer.
(c) Calculate the new pH after 10. mL of 1.0 M NaOH is added to the buffer
solution.
(d) Calculate the new pH after 10. mL of 1.0 M NaOH is added to 500. mL of pure
water.
(e) Explain why the pH of the water changed so much as compared to the pH of the
buffer.

56 Chemistry 1B Experiment 11