Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Generation and Control of Electrohydrodynamic Flows in Aqueous Electrolyte Solutions
Published on: September 7, 2018
Basic principles of electrolyte chemistry for microfluidic electrokinetics. Part I: Acid-base equilibria and pH
Alexandre Persat1, Robert D Chambers, Juan G Santiago
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
Abstract:
We review fundamental and applied acid-base equilibrium chemistry useful to microfluidic electrokinetics. We present elements of acid-base equilibrium reactions and derive rules for pH calculation for simple buffers. We also present a general formulation to calculate pH of more complex, arbitrary mixtures of electrolytes, and discuss the effects of ionic strength and temperature on pH calculation. More practically, we offer advice on buffer preparation and on buffer reporting. We also discuss "real world" buffers and likely contamination sources. In particular, we discuss the effects of atmospheric carbon dioxide on buffer systems, namely, the increase in ionic strength and acidification of typical electrokinetic device buffers. In Part II of this two-paper series, we discuss the coupling of acid-base equilibria with electrolyte dynamics and electrochemistry in typical microfluidic electrokinetic systems.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Buffer Systems in the Body
A typical buffer system in bodily fluids includes a weak acid and its corresponding anion,...
Buffers: Overview
Calculating pH Changes in a Buffer Solution
Buffers
Buffer Effectiveness
The buffer capacity is the amount of acid or base that can be added to a given volume...
Acid-Base Balance
When the pH of arterial blood rises above 7.45, it results in a condition called alkalosis. Conversely, a drop below 7.35 leads to...

