Introduction
A buffer solution is defined as the solution that resists changes in its pH value even when small amount of the acid or the base are added to it.
Types of Buffer Solution
There are two types of buffer solutions. These are:
(i) Solution containing single substances: The solution of the salt of a weak acid and weak base, e.g., ammonium acetate (CH3COONH4) acts as a buffer.
(ii) Solution containing mixtures: These are mixtures of acid or base with salts.
Acidic buffer: It is the solution of a mixture of weak acid and a salt of this weak acid and a strong base.
Example: CH3COOH + CH3COONa.
Basic buffer: It is a solution of a mixture of a weak base with the salt of this weak base with a strong acid.
Buffer Action
The property by virtue of which a buffer solution resists any change in its pH value even on adding a small amount of the acid or base to it is called buffer action.
Buffer Action of Ammonium Acetate
Ammonium acetate like all other salts is almost completely dissociated in the aqueous solutions as follows:
CH3COONH4→ CH3COO- + NH4+
Thus in solutions, there is excess of CH3COO- ions and NH4+ ions. On adding
few drops of HCl to this solution the H3O+ ions produced combine with CH3COO- and gives CH3COOH
CH3COO- + H3O+→ CH3COOH + H2O
Since concentration of H3O+ ions does not change practically, the pH of the solution remain almost constant.
Similarly when a few drops of base like NaOH are added to the above solution, the OH- ions given by the base combine with NH4+ ions.
NH4+ + OH- → NH4OH
Thus OH- ion concentration and hence H3O+ ion concentration remains almost constant.
Buffer Action of Acidic Buffer
In the acidic buffer containing CH3COOH and CH3COONa, acetic acid dissociates to a small extent whereas sodium acetate is almost completely dissociated in the aqueous solution as follows:
CH3COOH + H2O → CH3COO- + H3O+ ....(I)
CH3COONa → CH3COO- + Na+
By common ion effect the ionisation of CH3COOH is further suppressed.
Thus in the solution, there are excess of acetate (CH3COO-) and small amount of H3O+ ions.
When a few drops of acid are added H3O+ ions given by acid combine with CH3COO- ions to form weakly ionised molecules of CH3COOH.
CH3COO- + H3O+ → CH3COOH + H2O
Similarly on addition of few drops of base
OH- ions combine with H3O+ ions already present to form weakly ionised molecules of H2O.
H3O+ + OH- → H2O
As the H3O+ ions are used up, the equilibrium (I) shifts to right as a result more CH3COOH dissociate. So the H3O+ ion concentration as well as pH of the solution does not change.
Henderson- Hasselbalch Equation
pH of an acidic or a basic buffer is calculated from Henderson - Hasselbalch equation.
For acidic buffers, pH = pKa + log [salt]/[acid]
For basic Buffers, pOH = pKa + log [salt]/[base]
Dilution of a buffer solution does not affect its pH, but pH of a buffer changes with temperature.
Buffer Capacity
Uses of Buffer solution
(i) Buffer solutions are used in colorimetry to determine pH of unknown solutions.
(iv) Buffer solutions are used for fermentation of alcohols, tanning of leather, electroplating, manufacture of sugar, paper manufacturing etc.
(vi) Human blood consists of a buffer system of carbonic acid + sodium bicarbonate. It maintains the constant pH (7.4) of blood in human body.
How does human blood maintain its buffer?
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