The solution which resist drastic change in pH when a small amount of strong acid or strong base or even water is added to it are called buffer solution. The pH of Buffer Solutions shows minimal change upon the addition of a very small quantity of strong acid or strong base. They are therefore used to keep the pH at a constant value. Buffer Solutions are used in fermentation, food preservatives, drug delivery, electroplating, printing, the activity of enzymes, blood, etc.
The buffer solutions are classified into 2 types:
Acidic and Basic buffer
Acidic buffer are used to maintain acidic environments. It has acidic pH and it is prepared by mixing a weak acid and its salt with strong base.
Basic buffer are used to maintain basic conditions. It has basic pH and it is prepared by mixing a weak base and its salt with strong acid.
Our blood is the buffer of bicarbonate anion and carbonic acid (HCO3- + H2CO3) which maintains blood pH at 7.36-7.42. A small change of 0.2 pH can cause death.
1. Enzymes: Enzymes are the proteins that accelerates the chemical reactions.
2. Electroplating: Coating of metal object by electrolytic deposition of chromium, silver or another metal.