TODAY’S SEMINAR IS
BROUGHT TO YOU BY 7, 14,
AND THE LETTERS
PH
PH - MEASUREMENT
pH: -
It is a convenient measure of acidity / alkalinity of a
aqueous solution at a specific temperature.
It is measured on a continuous scale from 0 to 14
In a chemical laboratory, pH is commonly measured
using an electronic pH meter
PH - MEASUREMENT
WHY IS pH MEASURED?
To test a sample against a legal requirement
To test a chemical against a specification
As a part of analytical method
Process control in chemical industry
Environmental monitoring of waste and effluents
Monitoring and controlling biochemical reactions,
many of which only take place in a particular and
sometimes narrow pH range.
PH - MEASUREMENT
PRINCIPLES: -
pH value to be regarded as convenient and
comparitative measure of acidity
pH is usually determined by electrochemical
measurement, in which the potential of a pH electrode
immersed in the test solution is measured.
The pH electrode respond quantitatively and
specifically to hydrogen ions even in the presence of
other positive ions
PH - MEASUREMENT
ELECTROMETRIC DETERMINATION OF pH
The pH of a test solution may then be
measured
pH = -log a H+
pH measurement reflects the activity rather
the concentration of hydrogen ion
WHAT IS A PH METER?
An instrument that
measures the H+ ion
concentration (pH) of a
solution using an ion
sensitive electrode which
will ideally respond to one
specific ion, in this case H+
The pH of a solution is the
negative logarithm of the
H+ ion concentration
A typical modern pH meter
has a glass and reference
electrode in one tube
HOW DOES A PH METER
MEASURE H+ CONCENTRATION?
The pH meter has two electrodes in one
tube, glass and reference electrode. A
saturated KCL and HCL solution is contained
in a tube which is inside of an outer tube
that will have contact with the solution to be
measured. This outer tube has a double
glass bulb with NA+ which makes an ion
specific electrode. When measuring the pH
of a solution, a salt bridge forms. The NA+
ion, not H+, crosses the glass membrane of
the pH electrode and allows for a change in
free energy which is measured by the pH
meter as the concentration of H+.
PH - MEASUREMENT
GLASS ELECTRODE
A – Glass bulb
B – Tube filled with 0.1 mol
HCl
C – Silver-Silver chloride
D – Saturated KCl solution
saturated with AgCl
E – Silver-Silver chloride
electrode
PH - MEASUREMENT
GLASS ELECTRODE
Potential is developed in an aqueous solution is
proportional to hydrogen activity or pH of the solution
Hydrogen ion in the solution forms a dynamic
equilibrium with hydrogen ions that are “bound” to
the membrane surface in ion exchange type process,
thereby establishing a potential across the membrane
Magnitude of potential is proportional to the pH of the
solution
PH - MEASUREMENT
CARE OF pH ELECTRODES
Manufacturer’s instructions to be consulted for
specific guidance on particular electrodes and
situation
For reliable pH measurement, pH electrodes are
properly stored and maintained
Response of the pH electrode to hydrogen ion activity
depends acutely on such matters as:
- Cleanliness and condition of the glass membrane
- Conditions of the reference electrode liquid junction
- Conditions of reference electrode and its filling
solution
- Cleanliness of the electrode body
PH - MEASUREMENT
CAR E OF pH ELECTRODES
On exposure to air and allowing to dry out, glass
membrane becomes dehydrated and liquid junction
may also deteriorate
pH electrode should be stored in an appropriate
storage solution, when not in use
Mixture of different salts of similar composition to the
reference electrode filling solution, a buffer to provide
suitable pH(e.g.4 to7) and mild cleansing agent
Electrode to be immersed to a sufficient depth to
cover both the glass membrane and the liquid junction
A pH electrode should not be stored in water
Periodically the level of the filling solution in reference
electrode should be checked and topped-up as
necessary
PH - MEASUREMENT
CARE OF pH ELECTRODES
When not in use, the filling hole of the reference
electrode should be covered with the plug provided for
this
If pH electrode has been left in air and dried out, it
should be re-hydrated by immersion in the storage
solution for at least 12 hours
A pH electrode should be regularly examined for salt
crystal build up and membrane and liquid junction
deposits
For additional cleaning soak the pH electrode in either
0.1 molar HCl or 0.1 molar Nitric acid
PH - MEASUREMENT
CALIBRATION
Essential to calibrate the response of a pH electrode
by using standard buffer solutions of known pH
At least two buffer solution should be used
pH of the test sample is bracketed by two buffers
To be free from contamination, sediment and mould
Each laboratory to determine the shelf life of their
buffer solutions based on practical experience,
frequency of use, storage conditions and the
importance of the pH measurements being made.
PH - MEASUREMENT
CALIBRATION
When a buffer solutions requirement for use,
a suitable quantity should be transferred to
clean dry beaker and close buffer solution
bottle quickly, used buffer solution should
not be returned to the stock bottle and pH
electrode should not be immersed directly
into stock bottle
Ensure that buffer solutions and test
solutions whose pH values are to be
measured are equilibrated to ambient
temperature
PH - MEASUREMENT
BUFFERS:-
Buffer solutions to be prepared using salts of the highest
purity available
Certain of the salts should be dried before use
Potassium hydrogen phthalate- Dry at 110°C for one hour
Potassium di-hydrogen phosphate - Dry at 110°C for one
hour
Disodium hydrogen phosphate - Dry at 110°C for one hour
Sodium carbonate – Dry at 270°C for one hour
Carbon dioxide-free distilled water to be used to prepare
the solutions
Important for those buffer solution with a pH > 6
PH - MEASUREMENT
CALIBRATION :
Buffer standards
- Know how they work
- Know different types of buffer and how to use
them
- Know how to make up buffer solutions for
calibration
- Know how to store buffer standard solutions
correctly
- Know that it is necessary to use more than
one buffer standard (one either side of the
expected pH range of samples to be tested)
CALIBRATING A PH METER
Make sure the meter is in pH mode
For a 3 point calibration, use high
pH (--), pH 7.0 and low (-.0) solution
Before calibration, rinse probe
thoroughly with de-ionized water or
a rinse solution
Immerse the end of the probe
completely in the calibration
solution
Stir the probe gently to create
a homogenous sample
MEASURING THE PH OF A
SOLUTION
Always rinse electrodes with
de-ionized water prior to
placing in a solution for pH
measurement
Allow meter to stabilize for 30
seconds or a minute, then
read
Remove electrodes and rinse
with de-ionized solution
The pH bulb should always be
stored wet preferably in pH
4.0 buffer with 1/100 KCl
Other buffers or tap water
can be used for storage
MAINTENANCE OF PH METER
Wipe off exterior of pH meter with a
damp cloth after use
The outside of the meter is made of
polyester and is not affected by
most solvents but is affected by
some organic solvents
pH the “power of hydrogen”
A Quick Method for
Determining pH
Litmus Paper
Litmus Paper
• Litmus paper is
useful to determine
the pH of a solution
when you do not
have a pH meter
available
• Proper storage of
the litmus paper is
essential to
maintain quality
control
The pH Scale
• The pH measures
the concentration
of H+ in a solution
• The lower the
number, the more
acidic the solution
• The higher the
number, the more
basic the solution
The pH Scale – Another
Description
