Effects of Temperature on pH measurement

G. Borellini

7th Eutech International

Distributor's Seminar 2006 1
 Effects of Temperature on pH measurement

„ The temperature change the pH of the

measured solution

„ The dissociation of molecules is highly temperature

dependent. Any change in temperature of the measured
solution results in a change in the hydrogen ion
concentration of that solution and therefore in its pH
value.

7th Eutech International

Distributor's Seminar 2006 2
 The temperature change the pH of the measured
solution

„ The pH/Temperature dependency is known only for the pH

buffer solution
„ For all acids and bases is not known.

„ Exampls:
Sample/Temp.: 0°C 20°C 25°C 30°C 40°C 50°C

„ Water 7.47 7.00 6.63

„ 0.01 N HCl 2.04 2.04 2.04
„ TRIS-Buffer 8.40 7.84 7.65 7.56 7.02
„ 0.001 N NaOH 11.17 10.83

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Distributor's Seminar 2006 3
The temperature change the pH of the measured
solution

„ It is therefore of utmost importance to state the

related temperature when giving a pH value of a
solution, otherwise the pH measurement is
meaningless

„ Example : pH 3,27 at 22 ºC

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Distributor's Seminar 2006 4
 Effects of Temperature on pH measurement

„ The temperature change the pH of the

measured solution
„ The slope of pH electrode is temperature
dependent

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Distributor's Seminar 2006 5
 The slope of pH electrode is temperature
dependent

Potential in mV
Temperature
dependency of the
Nernst equation

pH

RxT
NERNST equation: E = ------------ x 2,30
nxF
-59.16 mV at 25°C
E = Potential difference
R = Gas constant -74.04 mV at 100°C
F = Faraday constant
T = Absolute temperature
n = charge number of the measured ion = 1

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 The slope of pH electrode is temperature
dependent

This temperature influence is considered by

instrument manufactures when they
incorporate conventional manual or
automatic temperature compensation in
their pH measuring products.

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Distributor's Seminar 2006 7
 Effects of Temperature on pH measurement

„ The temperature change the pH of the

measured solution
„ The slope of pH electrode is temperature
dependent
„ The temperature change the position of the
isotherm intersection point

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Distributor's Seminar 2006 8
The temperature change the position of the
isotherm intersection point

mV

74.04 mV = Slope at 100°C

0
bad
7 14 pH
59.16 mV at 25°C
good

Isothermal Point is
best at 0 mV

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Distributor's Seminar 2006 9
 The temperature change the position of the
isotherm intersection point

„ The position change of the isotherm

intersection point is compensate if the
pH buffer solution and the sample are at
the same temperature.

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Distributor's Seminar 2006 10
Exampls:
Sample/Temp.: 0°C 20°C 25°C 30°C 40°C 50°C

Water 7.47 7.00 6.63

0.01 N HCl 2.04 2.04 2.04
TRIS-Buffer 8.40 7.84 7.65 7.56 7.02
0.001 N NaOH 11.17 10.83

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Distributor's Seminar 2006 11
 Error from temperature effect on slope and isotherm
intersection point in pH electrode

„ Example :
„ 0.001 mol/l HCl = pH 3,00
„ Temperature of calibration : 25º C
„ Temperatura of measure : 60º C
„ If we don’t made automatic or manual temperature compensation at
60°C on the pHmeter the error is: 0,47 pH

„ The error from different temperature of calibration and

measure is : 0,047 pH

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Distributor's Seminar 2006 12
 Effects of Temperature on pH measurement

„ The temperature change the pH of the

measured solution
„ The slope of pH electrode is temperature
dependent
„ The temperature change the position of the
isotherm intersection point
„ The temperature change the response time
of pH electrode

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Distributor's Seminar 2006 13
 The temperature change the response of pH
electrode
Inner tube glass membrane
Reference
„ Electrodes are made in glass
body.
The glass is bad conductor of heat
Electrodes are asimmetrical made.
This condition generate a delay in
°C
. . °C

temperature stabilisation on the

individual electrode parts and
delay in response and stable
reading of final pH value.

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Distributor's Seminar 2006 14
 The temperature change the response of pH
electrode

„ Important:
When the electrode jumps from different
temperature, please wait before to read a
final value.

Example : from 20°C to 60°C the electrode need

minimum 5-10min for stabilisation.

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Distributor's Seminar 2006 15
 Effects of Temperature on pH measurement

„ The temperature change the pH of the measured

solution
„ The slope of pH electrode is temperature dependent
„ The temperature change the position of the isotherm
intersection point
„ The temperature change the response time pH electrode

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 Conclusion

„ Theory is necessary !
„ Experience is essential
„ Good luck with your pH measurement
„ And greatings from Italy…..

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Thank you.

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