BUFFER PREPARATION AND PH MEASUREMENT USING THE ELECTROMETRIC METHOD

AND COLORIMETRIC METHOD

Arndrei John I. Cunanan, Angelica De La Torre, Maria Concepcion M. De Vera, Zandreah

Regine T. Diaz, Lordjel Kin M. Eleda

ABSTRACTWOWOWOWOOWOW
An acetate buffer solution with a pH of approximately 5.00 was prepared from a solution that has an initial
ph of 0.5 that is made by mixing 220 mL of distilled water with a 7.16 mL acetic acid. For the
electrometric determination, a pH meter was used to determine the pH of the buffer solution and the
chosen sample. Addition of NaOH and HCl was done to adjust the pH of the buffer solution towards the
desired pH. On the other hand, acid-base indicators were used for the colorimetric determination of pH of
both the buffer and the chosen sample. The change of color of the solutions was observed. It was later on
found out that using a pH meter is a more accurate way of determining a pH of a solution rather than an
indicator.

INTRODUCTION HCl or 6.0 M NaOH while being monitored by the

pH meter.
EXPERIMENTAL
A. Compounds tested (or Samples used)
For Buffer Solution: Acetic acid (CH3COOH)
For Acid-base indicators: Thymol blue,
Bromophenol blue, Bromocresol green,
Bromocresol purple, Phenol red, Methyl red,
Methyl orange, Phenolphthalein
For Standard Reagent Preparation: Conc. HCl and
Conc. NaOH

B. Procedure Figure 1. pH meter

1. Preparation of Reagents
Prepare a 500 mL of the following aqueous
solutions (6.0 M HCl and 6.0 M NaOH) and label
the containers accordingly.
2. Buffers
The buffer solution was prepared using the
following guidelines:
Table 1. Buffer solution used
Volume (L) Concentration
Buffer Solution
0.250 L 0.50 M
A volume of 220 mL of distilled water was
added to 7.16 mL Acetic Acid (CH3COOH) into a
600 mL beaker then was transferred to
volumetric flask. To make the buffer solution 250
mL in a volumetric flask, certain amounts of
distilled water were added. The prepared solution
was then transferred to a 500 mL amber bottle
that was labeled properly.
3. Electrometric Determination of pH
The pH meter was then calibrated at pH 4, 7
and 10. The pH of 20 ml portion of distilled water
was measured and the [H+] was calculated. The
pH of the buffer solution was adjusted to the
desired pH by adding in portions of either 6.0 M
4. Colorimetric Determination of pH
a. Preparation of Color Standards using
the Buffer Solution
Six test tubes were prepared and labeled with
the pH of the buffer and acid-base indicator to be
added. 5 ml of a buffer of a certain pH and 2
drops of an acid-base indicator was added into
the test tubes. The mixture was shaken and the
resulting color was noted.
b. Determination of the pH of samples
Two drops of an acid-base indicator
Acetate
was added to 5 mL of distilled water. The mixture
was shaken and the resulting color was
noted. This procedure was repeated using
each acid-base indicator.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
1. Electrometric Determination of pH
In the experiment, from the initial pH of the
buffer prepared (0.5), the desired pH of the
acetate buffer which is 5.00 was reached through
adding small amounts of 6.0 M HCl and 6.0 M
NaOH. The calibrated pH meter showed accurate
readings of the pH of the acetate buffer. It
manifested sensitivity to a small amount of [H+]
and [OH-] ions for it displayed fluctuations in
readings with the slightest addition of 6.0 M HCl
and 6.0 M NaOH. Therefore, the pH meter is
more accurate in reading pH levels compared to a REFERENCES
pH paper.