Saturday, November 13, 2021

Why are Buffer Solutions used to Calibrate the pH Meter

The buffer solution is used to calibrate the pH meter as they resist pH change. So we use a standard buffer solution with a known pH to set the pH meters to show those results. When using a pH meter to test pH, we want to confirm that the meter indicates pH = 7.00 and that the pH is 7.00.

We most likely used commercially available standard calibration buffers, which are sold in the form of tablets or capsules that dissolve in deionized water or ready-to-use solutions. The  calibration standard solutions used for the electrode calibration have a pH of 25°C.

Please keep in mind that high pH buffers are less stable since they absorb CO2 from the atmosphere, lowering their pH. We should only open the bottle to pour the buffer into the beaker during calibration; the bottle is never left open.


It is also worth noting that the pH of the buffer solution varies depending on the temperature. For example, at 80°C, the pH of potassium hydrogen phthalate (C8H5KO4) solution rises to 04.16. Several pH meters do not automatically adjust for these variations, even if they provide automatic temperature correction during measurement.

There is a membrane in the pH meter, which allows passing the H + ions, which permit the current to flow, creates the voltage. The voltage is estimated by the pH meter and you reveal to it which standard buffer, it is in, after that the pH meter compares the voltage of its unrecognized solution to the buffer to decide the pH of the samples. Standard buffer solutions are defined to be at a precise pH. They can generally be gotten from the manufacturer or self-prepared and these buffers are important for the proper functioning of the pH meter.

Why buffer solution is used for calibration of pH meter?

The buffer solution is used to calibrate the pH meter as they resist pH change. So we use a standard buffer solution with a known pH to set the pH meters to show those results. A buffer solution is an aqueous combination of a weak acid and its conjugate base, or vice versa. Buffer solutions are used in a variety of chemical applications as a means of keeping the pH at a nearly constant value.

Why buffers are the best for this purpose are as follows.

  • Buffer solutions are easy for the preparation for a particular pH.
  • Buffer solutions are stable for a long time.
  • If you add a little amount of acid or base or even water, then they resist modifying in pH.
  • Buffer solutions maintain the accuracy of the pH meter.
  • The prepared buffer solution can easily avail in the market and is cheap in rate.

Which buffer solution is used for the calibration of the pH meter?

Three types of buffer solutions pH 04.00, pH 07.00, and pH 9.20 are used to calibrate the pH meter. Prepared standard buffer solutions are available in the market or you can prepare them in the laboratory by the procedure given in the monograph.

These buffer solutions facilitate to display of the accurate pH value since when we use a pH meter we desire to be sure that the pH meter displays the correct measurement. Buffer solutions provide accurate results within ±0.01 pH at 25 °C. Prepared standard buffer solutions are available in the market or you can prepare them in the laboratory by the procedure given in the monograph.

Why 3 point calibration is used to calibrate the pH meter?

To ensure the accuracy of readings, it is necessary to calibrate with three-point calibration utilizing different buffer solutions such as pH 04.00, 07.00, and 09.20, which covers the whole pH range i.e. acidic, basic, and neutral.

A pH meter uses the Nernst equation to calculate the pH of the sample solution. A 2 or 3 point calibration, using 2 to 3 different buffer solutions is usually sufficient for calibration as the meter's electronic logic will calculate pH values in between.

What buffer solution is used for storing pH electrode and why it is chosen?

Manufacturers of pH electrodes often recommend storing them in a 04 M KCl solution. Use a pH 4 buffer solution if 4 M KCl isn't available. If you keep your electrode in distilled or deionized water, ions will leak out of the glass bulb, rendering it useless.

The pH-responsive electrode is normally made of glass, whereas the reference electrode is usually made of silver-silver chloride. The difference in potentials between the two sides of the glass electrode is measured by the pH electrode.


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