Which of the following is basic buffer?
- A. NH4OH/NH4Cl
- B. NaOH/NaCl
- C. NaOH/HCl
- D. H2CO3/NaHCO3
Explanation
A basic buffer needs a weak base together with the salt of that base, and ammonium hydroxide with ammonium chloride is the standard example, holding the pH around 9. Carbonic acid with sodium hydrogen carbonate is also a buffer but an acidic one, built from a weak acid and its salt. Sodium hydroxide is a strong base and is fully ionised, so it has no reservoir of un-ionised base and cannot buffer.