Chemistry Laboratory (II) UMSC 1124, Bachelor of Science (Hons) Chemistry

Name

: Pak Kah Heh (ID - 09ALB00153)

Group Members Name: 1) Hoor Yin Haw (ID - 09ALB01560)

Experiment No

:4

Experiment Title

: Potentiometric Measurements Determination Of The pH Of An Alkali Solution, A Buffer Solution And A Hair Shampoo

Date

: 15th of June, 2009

Summary

1.

The pH of the dilution of NH3-NH4Cl buffer solutions was determined by a strong base electrolyte

2. pH of the dilution of hair shampoo solution and diluted ammonia solution were determined by a buffer system

Objective: To carry out potentiometric measurements to determine whether a solution is controlled by a buffer system or by a strong electrolyte. Introduction: Most of the chemical solution are either is basicity and acidity. Whether the solution is basicity or acidity is highly depending on how much of the hydrogen ions, H + (aq), are present in one solution. However, the concentration of H + present in one solution may encounter wide in range, so the pH scaling is introduced to handle the calculation of the amount of available hydrogen ions in a solution. pH is defined as the negative logarithm to the base 10 of the concentration of H+ (aq) ions in mol dm-3; it is derived from a system called p-scale with combination of H. pH = - log10 [H+] There are many ways to measure pH such as litmus paper or using acid-base indicator, but, the most effective way is to use potentiometric electrodes. A pH electrodes or also known as glass membrane electrodes is a typical pH combination electrode, incorporating both glass and reference electrodes in one body. The diagram of electrodes is shown below:

Electrodes are said to be most effective to use in measuring pH because: i. ii. Wide linear range Good precision

iii. Unaffected by sample colour or turbidity iv. v. vi. Low cost Fast response Real time in-situ measurement The pH electrode has to be calibrated before it can used to avoid common errors. Buffer solution will be used as standards to calibrate the pH electrode and it is important to use suitable buffer solution. In this experiment, estimation will also be made whether the pH is controlled by a strong electrolyte or buffered solution by measuring pH of shampoo and concentrated and diluted solution. Apparatus and Materials: pH meter, standard pH 4.01, 7.00 and 10.01 buffers, NH 3-NH4Cl buffer solution (pH 10), diluted ammonia solution (29 ml concentrated ammonia in 50 ml water) and hair shampoo. Procedures: Calibration of electrodes 1. The electrode was calibrated at pH 7 and a pH measurement was made on the various samples. 2. Only 3 buffers for calibration were used. 3. The electrodes was rinsed with distilled water after calibration and blotted with tissue paper. 4. The pH meter was turned to standby when removing electrodes from solution. pH Measurement of samples

1. A 1:10 dilution of each sample was prepared in a 100-ml beaker by pipetting 5.00 ml into 45.0 ml distilled water measured from a 50 ml burette. 2. A 1:100 dilution of the sample in a 100 ml beaker was prepared by pipetting 5.00 ml of the 1:10 diluted sample into 45.0 ml distilled water measure from a 50-ml burette. 3. The pH of first diluted sample was measured and then the concentrated sample was measured. 4. Small beaker was used to make the measurement with 5 ml of sample. 5. A salt bridge wicked for the reference electrode was above the pH glass bulb and the probe was immersed to make contact with both electrodes. 6. The electrode was immersed in the test solution and was swished or agitated a few seconds. 7. The pH reading was allowed to equilibrate and was recorded to the nearest 0.01 pH 8. The electrode was rinsed well between measurements and the water was blotted off. Results: Materials pH pH solution determine by a buffer system or by a strong acid or base electrolytes Hair shampoo 1:10 dilution of hair shampoo 1:100 dilution of hair shampoo Diluted ammonia solution 1:10 dilution of diluted ammonia solution 1:100 dilution of diluted ammonia solution NH3-NH4Cl buffer solution 1:10 dilution of NH3-NH4Cl buffer solution 1:100 dilution of NH3-NH4Cl buffer solution 5.31 5.88 5.21 10.81 10.44 9.70 12.27 11.50 9.98 Buffer system Buffer system

Buffer system Buffer system

Strong base electrolyte Strong base electrolyte

Discussion: In this experiment, the potentiometric electrode method was used to measure pH compare other method. It gives more accurate result than litmus paper and acid-base indicators. This is because litmus paper only able to show that the solution is whether is acidic and basic only by changing colour of litmus paper. Meanwhile, the acid-base indicators are also only show the certain range of pH which depends on the type of indicators is used. Moreover, acid-base indicators are weak organic acids; it might slightly affect the accuracy of the result. Most of the cells do not start with all components in their standard states, so, before start using the potentiometric electrode to measure pH of a solution, the calibration has to be done. This is because it is necessary to ensure the natural error do not occur during experiment due to the chemical changes within the electrodes. pH buffers solution will be used for electrode to calibrate and the common buffers for pH are pH 4.01, 7.00 and 10.01. According to the results obtained from experiment, the pH of the dilution of NH 3NH4Cl buffer solutions was determined by a strong base meanwhile the pH for others solution such as dilution of hair shampoo solution and diluted ammonia solution were determined by a buffer system. The pH of the dilution of NH 3-NH4Cl buffer solutions was said to be determined by strong base because NH 4Cl is dissociates completely after addition of water. As a result, the pH change was shown vary when the dilution of NH3-NH4Cl buffer solutions (1:10) was compare with the dilution of NH 3-NH4Cl buffer solutions (1:100). Meanwhile for the other dilution of other two solutions, the pH was determined by buffer system, this is because the changes of the pH in each solution was slightly after diluted with in ratio of 1:10 and 1:100. The buffers work through a phenomenon known as the commonion effect. The changes in pH value were resisted when acids or base or water was added in the solution. The results of hair shampoo and the dilution of hair shampoo with the ratio of 1:10 and 1:100 shows unusual readings. Theoretically, the dilution of hair shampoo with the ratio of 1:100, shows a higher pH reading than the dilution of hair shampoo with the ratio 1:10 and the concentrated hair shampoo. This may have a natural errors are occurred during the experiment. It has to recalibrate the electrodes to get a more accurate result.

The electrode should calibrate with the buffer solution given because the more point are chosen to calibrate, the higher the accuracy. It is advisable not to calibrate directly in the bottle because it will contaminate the solution and make it useless. The glass membrane of the electrode is fragile and sensitive, so it is not advisable to wipe them with paper after rinse with distilled water.

Conclusion: The pH of the dilution of NH3-NH4Cl buffer solutions was determined by a strong base electrolyte. Then the pH of the dilution of hair shampoo solution and diluted ammonia solution were determined by a buffer system. Potentiometric measurement is considered the best way in determination of pH compare to acid-base titration. It is very important to calibrate the electrode before start experiment everytime. Reference: 1. Website http://www.chemistry.sfu.ca/assets/uploads/215-L17.pdf 2. Book Martin S. Silberberg (2009). Fifth Edition Chemistry: The Molecular Nature of Matter and Change. McGraw. Hill International Edition 3. Book Tan Yin Toon, Fajar Bakti Sdn. Bhd. 2004, Oxford University Press, Organic Chemistry for STPM.