Date:3/4/2019

Title: Investigation of an acidic buffer

Objectives:
1. To develop an acidic buffer within the pH range of 5±0.2.
2. To test the capacity of the buffer using an acid and base.
3. To determine the cost of the buffer per 100L.
Background to problem:
A buffer solution resists changes of pH upon the addition of acid and base. It contains a weak
acid and its conjugate base or a weak base and its conjugate acid. Acidic buffers contain a
weak acid and its conjugate base. Sodium acetate buffer is an acidic buffer which contains
acetic acid as its weak acid and sodium acetate as its conjugate base.
CH3COOH(aq)+H209l) ⇌ H3O(aq)+ + CH3COO-(aq)
Addition of base:
OH-(aq)+CH3COOH(aq) ⇌ + CH3COO-(aq) + H2O(l)
Addition of acid:
CH3COO-(aq)+ H(aq) ⇌ CH3COOH(aq)
The Henderson-Hasselbalch equation shows that the pH of a buffer is dependent on two
factors: the value of ka and the ratio of the conjugate base to acid.
conjugate base
pH= pka + log10[ ]
acid
The buffer capacity is a measure of the efficiency of a buffer in resisting changes in pH. If the
capacity of a buffer is exceeded, then there is a sharp change in the pH of the buffer.
Hypothesis: The sodium acetate buffer will maintain a pH of 5 when small amounts of
hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide are added separately.
Procedure:
Part A (Preparation of Standard Solution of Sodium Carbonate)
1. 0.5319g of anhydrous sodium carbonate was accurately weighed into a 100ml
volumetric flask.
2. 40ml of distilled water was added to the volumetric flask and it was shaken until the
sodium carbonate was dissolved.
3. Distilled water was added until the graduation mark was reached.
Part B (Standardization of Acetic Acid)
1. 10ml aliquot of the standard sodium carbonate solution was pipetted into a conical
flask.
2. The sample was titrated with acetic acid in the burette using phenolphthalein as the
indicator.
 3. The procedure was repeated using one more 10ml aliquot sample of sodium carbonate
solution.
4. Values were recorded and the concentration was calculated.
Part C (Standardization of Hydrochloric Acidic)
1. The 1M hydrochloric acid was diluted to form a 0.4M hydrochloric acid.
2. 10ml of the standard sodium carbonated was pipetted into a conical flask.
3. The sample was titrated against the diluted acid in the burette with bromocresol green
as the indicator.
4. The procedure was repeated using one more sample of the standard solution.
5. Values were recorded and the concentration was calculated.
Part D (Standardization of Sodium Hydroxide)
1. The 1M sodium hydroxide was diluted to form a 0.4M sodium hydroxide.
2. 0.2g of the potassium hydrogen phthalate was accurately weighed and transferred to a
250ml conical flask. The potassium hydrogen phthalate was dissolved in 50ml of
distilled water and phenolphthalein was added as an indicator.
3. It was titrated against the sodium hydroxide solution.
4. The procedure was repeated using one more solution of potassium hydrogen
phthalate.
5. Values were recorded and the concentration was calculated.
Part E (Mixing the buffer solution in volumetric flask)
1. 100ml of distilled water was added to a 250ml volumetric flask.
2. 10ml of 1.0M solution of acetic acid was added to the volumetric flask.
3. 1.4487g of sodium acetate was accurately weighed in a 50ml beaker and placed in the
volumetric flash which was shaken to dissolve the sodium acetate.
4. Distilled water was used to fill up the volumetric flask until it reached the graduation
mark.
5. pH probe of pH meter was inserted in the beaker with a sample of the buffer.
6. Buffer solution was stirred using a plastic stirring rod.
7. The pH of the buffer solution was recorded.
8. Base was added to increase the pH of the buffer solution.
Part F (Addition of Acid)
1. 50ml of the buffer solution was transferred to a 100ml beaker.
2. 50ml of the standardized 0.4M hydrochloric acid was placed in a 50ml burette.
3. The probe of the pH meter was placed in the beaker.
4. Hydrochloric acid was added dropwise into the beaker until the pH of the buffer
solution decreased by 0.3pH units.
5. The volume of the acid used to decrease the pH was recorded.
Part G (Addition of base)
1. 50ml of the buffer solution was transferred to a 100ml beaker.
2. 50ml of the standardized 0.4M sodium hydroxide was placed into a 50ml burette.
3. The probe of the pH meter was placed in the beaker.
4. Sodium hydroxide was added dropwise into the beaker until the pH of the buffer
solution increased by 0.3pH units.
5. The volume of the base used to increase the pH was recorded.
Apparatus:
- pH meter and probe - plastic stirring rod
- volumetric flasks -beakers
- burettes -pipette and pipette filler
- conical flasks
Chemicals:
- sodium carbonate -bromocresol green
- 1M acetic acid -1M hydrochloric acid
- 1M sodium hydroxide -potassium hydrogen phthalate
- Phenolphthalein -sodium acetate
Required Data:
Molar mass of sodium carbonate = 105.9888g/mol
Molar mass of potassium hydrogen phthalate =204.22g/mol
Molar mass of sodium acetate =82.0343g/mol

Results:
Concentration of standard solution of sodium carbonate:
Mass of empty beaker and sodium carbonate = 9.0425g
Mass of empty beaker = 8.5106g
Mass of NasCO3 = 0.5319g
Standardization of acetic acid:
Run 1 2
Final burette reading/ml 3.0 3.8
Initial burette reading/ml 1.9 3.0
Volume of acetic acid 1.1 0.8
used/ml

Standardization of hydrochloric acid:

Run 1 2
Final burette reading/ml 16.1 18.3
Initial burette reading/ml 14.1 16.1
Volume of HCL used/ml 2.1 2.2
Standardization of sodium hydroxide:
Titration 1 Titration 2
Mass of vial and KHP/g 9.9206 9.9612
Mass of empty vial/g 9.6817 9.7098
Mass of KHP/g 0.2389 0.2514

Run 1 2
Final burette reading/ml 14.95 15.10
Initial burette reading/ml 11.95 18.20
Volume of NaOH used/ml 3.0 3.10

Initial pH of the buffer solution: 4.52

Final pH of the buffer: 4.93
Addition of 0.4M HCl:
Run pH
Final burette reading/ml 20.7 4.63
Initial burette reading/ml 18.3 4.93
Volume of HCl used/ml 2.4

Addition of 0.4M NaOH:

Run pH
Final burette reading/ml 21.1 5.26
Initial burette reading/ml 19.5 4.96
Volume of NaOH used/ml 2.05

Data Analysis:
Calculation of standard solution of sodium carbonate:
Mass of Na2CO3 =0.5319g
0.5319
Number of moles of Na2CO3 =0.005018 moles
105.9888
100ml of Na2CO3 contains 0.005018 moles
0.005018
1000ml of Na2CO3contains x 1000=0.05018 M
100
Standardization of Acetic Acid:
2CH3COOH(aq) + Na2CO3(aq)→2CH3CHOONa(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)
2 : 1 mole ratio
1000ml of Na2CO3 contains 0.05018 moles
0.05018
10ml of Na2CO3 contains x 10=0.0005018 moles
1000
1 mole of Na2CO3 reacts with 2 moles of CH3COOH
Therefore 0.0005018 moles of Na2CO3 reacts with 2 x 0.0005018 moles = 0.0010036 moles
Titration 1:
1.1ml of CH3COOH contains 0.0010036 moles
0.0010036
1000ml of CH3COOH contains x 1000=0.92136 M
1.1
Titration 2:
0.8ml of CH3COOH contains 0.0010036 moles
0.0010036
1000ml of CH3COOH contains x 1000=1.2545 M
0.8
Average molarity: (0.9216M+1.2545M)/2= 1.0835M

Standardization of hydrochloric acid:

2HCl(aq)+Na2CO3(aq)→2NaCl(s)+ H2O(l) + CO2(g)
2 : 1 mole ratio
1000ml of Na2CO3 contains 0.05018 moles
10ml of Na2CO3 contains 0.0005018 moles

1 mole of Na2CO3 reacts with 2 moles of HCl

Therefore 0.0005018 moles of Na2CO3 reacts with 2 x 0.0005018=0.0010036moles
Titration 1
2.1ml contains 0.0010036 moles
0.0010036
1000ml contains x 1000
2.1
=0.47790M
Titration 2
2.2ml contains 0.0010036 moles
0.0010036
1000ml contains x 1000 = 0.4562M
2.2
Average molarity = (0.47790+0.4562)/2
 = 0.4521M
Standardization of sodium hydroxide
1:1 mole ratio
Titration 1:
0.2389
Number of moles of KHP= =0.001170 moles
204.22
3.0ml of NaOH contains 0.001170 moles
0.001170
1000ml contains x 1000=0.3900 M
3
Titration 2:
0.2514
Number of moles of KHP= =0.001231 moles
204.22
3.1ml of NaOH contains 0.001231 moles
0.001231
1000ml contains x 1000=0.3971 M
3.1
Average molarity= (0.3900+0.3971)/2
=0.3936M

Concentration of acetic acid in buffer:

1000ml of acetic acid contains 1.0835 moles
1.0835
10ml of acetic acid contains x 10=0.010835 moles
1000
10ml of acetic acid contains 0.010835 moles
250ml of buffer solution contains 0.010835 moles
0.010835
1000ml of buffer solution contains x 1000=0.04334 moles
250
Therefore, concentration of acetic acid in buffer = 0.04334M
Mass of sodium acetate added to buffer= 2.4371g
2.4371
Number of moles of sodium acetate = =0.02971 moles
82.0343
0.02971
Concentration = x 1000=0.1188 M
250
Calculation of buffer capacity:
 number of moles of acid
Buffer capacity=
pH change x volume of buffer ( L )
For the addition of HCl:
1000ml contains 0.47790M
0.47790
2.4ml contains x 2.4=0.001147 moles
1000
0.001147
Buffer capacity for acid= =0.076
0.3 x 0.05
For the addition of NaOH:
1000ml of NaOH contains 0.3936 moles
0.3936
2.05ml contains x 2.05=0.0008069 moles
1000
0.0008069
Buffer capacity= =0.054
0.3 x 0.05

Cost of recommended buffer per 100L:

For 100L: 974.84g of CH3COONa required
Therefore: 1kg of CH3COONa = US$95.21
4000ml of CH3COOH required
Therefore 2 x 2.5L of CH3COOH = US$106.49 x 2
=US$212.98
Total cost = US$95.21 + US$212.98= US$308.98

Discussion:
All the solutions used in the buffer solutions were standardized and the concentrations were
calculated. The concentration of the standard solution of sodium carbonate was determined to
be 0.05018M. The acetic acid was also standardized and the average molarity was calculated
to be 1.0835M. The average concentration of the hydrochloric acid was found to be 0.4521M.
The average concentration of the sodium hydroxide was calculated to be 0.3936M. The
capacity of the buffer was also tested using 0.4M of hydrochloric acid and 0.4M of sodium
hydroxide. The initial pH of the buffer was recorded as 4.32. Addition of sodium acetate
increased the pH of the 50ml samples to 4.93 and 4.96 respectively. When the buffer was
tested with the acid, it took 2.4ml of acid to decrease the pH by 0.3 units. When the buffer
was tested with the base, it took 1.6ml of base to increase the pH by 0.3 units. The cost of the
sodium acetate buffer was calculated to be US$308.98 per 100L.
The pH of the buffer was found to be 4.93 which was within the range of the buffer specified
in the hypothesis. When 2.4ml of hydrochloric acid was added to the buffer solution, the pH
decreased by 0.3pH units hence there was only a small change in the pH. The hydrogen ions
combined with the sodium acetate ions to make acetic acid. Acetic acid is a weak acid,
although the reaction is reversible, most of the new hydrogen ions are removed in this
reaction.
CH3COOH(aq) + H+(aq)⇌ CH3COOH(aq)
However, because of the equilibria involved in the reaction, there is a slight decrease in the
pH.
When 1.6ml of sodium hydroxide was added to the buffer solution, the pH increased by
0.3pH units therefore there was only a small change in pH when the base was added. The
acetic acid reacted with the base to form acetate ions and water therefore removing most of
the hydroxide ions. However, there is a slight increase in the pH since not all of the
hydroxide ions are removed, and the equilibria involved in the reaction which would have
caused the pH to shift.
CH3COOH(aq) + OH-(aq) ⇌ CH3COO-(aq) + H2O(l)
Therefore, the buffer solution resisted changes in pH when small amounts of acid and base
was added to it.
The capacity of the buffer for both acid and base was calculated and found to be 0.076 and
0.054 respectively. The buffer solution had a higher capacity for addition of a strong acid
since it has a weaker base [A-]. The solution had a weaker capacity for the addition of the
base, since it had a weaker base [A-].
The calculations to prepare the solutions were done before the lab, however, the
concentration of the acetic acid calculated was not the same that was used in the calculations.
For the prelab calculations, the concentration of acetic acid was 0.04M however during the
execution of the lab, the concentration of the acetic acid was determined to be 0.04334M.
Hence the mass of the sodium acetate had to be increased to adjust the pH to 5±0.2. The final
mass of the sodium acetate used was 2.4371g. The pH of the buffer solution was then
recorded as 4.93 as opposed to 4.32 when 1.4487g of sodium acetate was added.
Additionally, the pH reading on the meter kept fluctuating, which make it difficult to get a
constant pH. The buffer solution is an equilibrium reaction hence the fluctuation in the pH
readings as the equilibrium reaction shifted over time.
In the experiment, two titrations were used in the standardization process and one trial was
done each for the acid and the base. This may have been a limitation as repeated titrations and
trials improve the accuracy of the experiment. Another limitation could have been the
equilibrium of the reaction may have caused the pH to shift over time. Human reaction time
could have been an error as one person was using the burette to drop the acid and base into
the beaker and another person was reading the pH meter. Parallax error when using the
burette and pipette could have been an error. Increasing the number of titrations for the
standardization and the number of trials for the addition of base and acid could improve the
experiment. Additionally, using smaller concentrations of solutions may make it easier when
doing titrations as titre values obtained were small.
Conclusion:
The sodium acetate buffer was created with a pH of 4.32 and increased to 4.93 with the
addition of sodium acetate. The buffer capacity for addition of acid was determined to be
0.076 whilst the capacity of the buffer for the addition of base was determined to be 0.054.
When small amounts of acid and base were added to the buffer solution, a small change in the
pH was detected hence proving the hypothesis. The cost of the sodium acetate buffer per
100L was calculated to be US$308.98.