What is a pH Buffer?
pH buffers are solutions that are used to resist changes in pH when an acid or a base is added to the solution. The pH of the solution changes very little over the specified buffer range of the pH buffer. pH buffer standards covering the full pH spectrum are used in the calibration of pH measuring systems.
pH Buffer Solutions, Selection, Use, Application and Metrology is a detailed technical paper which explains in detail what pH buffers are, provides a full best practice calibration procedure using pH buffers and then details exactly, the effects of temperature on the buffers and how to correct the serious impacts of temperature coefficient of variation of the buffers on the overall pH result. Such buffers have a role in quality control, method validation and instrument qualification.
The detail of a lot of this functionality is outside the scope of this paper, but references are made to relevant publications produced by this author, relating to these areas. However, the role of pH buffers in pH electrode fault identification is covered in some detail and the information provided is based on original work carried out in our laboratory.
The characteristics of what constitutes a high-quality pH buffer selection is presented, with particular emphasis on the metrological aspects. This includes traceability, stability, accreditation and certification. This paper concludes with many practical aspects of pH buffer selection, packaging options, specifications and brief information as to how the pH buffers, currently available, have evolved.
Reagecon provides a vast range of high-quality pH buffers which can be viewed at www.reagecon.com