Characterization of pH in Liquid Mixtures of Methanol/H2O/CO2

The presence of H2O and CO2 in enhanced-fluidity liquids changes the pH in these mixtures due to the formation of carbonic acid. The acid-base equilibria in enhanced-fluidity liquids will also be affected by the reduction in the dielectric constant with the addition of CO2. The pH of enhanced-fluidity liquid mixtures at room temperature was determined from the UV/visible absorption spectra of several pH indicators. pH values of methanol/H2O/CO2 mixtures with CO2 proportions as high as 19.2 mol% are reported. The effect of adding buffer to methanol/H2O/CO2 mixtures on pH was also studied. It was also shown that pressure variation did not significantly influence the pH of enhanced-fluidity liquids.