Question

How does a neutralization reaction differ from buffer?

Answer 1

Neutralization usually refers to any reaction of acid and base to achieve a pH at or near 7, but a buffer solution always consists of a solution containing significant concentrations of both a weak acid and its conjugate base for the purpose of maintaining a constant pH value (not necessarily near 7).

A buffer solution maintains a nearly constant pH (a measure of hydronium ion concentration or acidity). It is able to withstand the addition of small amounts of strong base by reaction that converts a small amount of the buffer weak acid to conjugate base. Or, it can withstand addition of small amounts of strong acid by converting some of the buffer conjugate base to its acid form. If the ratio of concentrations of the buffer weak acid and conjugate base is not altered much, then the pH remains nearly constant.

***** A big difference between these two, is that you can use ANY base to neutralize any acid, whereas you have to use very specific bases to buffer a specific acid.