Overview : Process of Electrolysis
Overview : Process of Electrolysis
Overview : Process of Electrolysis
Electrolysis is the passing of a direct electric current through an ionic substance that is either
molten or dissolved in a suitable solvent, producing chemical reactions at the electrodes and
separation of materials.
The main components required to achieve electrolysis are:
A direct current (DC) electrical supply: provides the energy necessary to create or
discharge the ions in the electrolyte. Electric current is carried by electrons in the external
circuit.
Two electrodes: electrical conductors that provide the physical interface between the
electrolyte and the electrical circuit that provides the energy.
Electrodes of metal, graphite and semiconductor material are widely used. Choice of suitable
electrode depends on chemical reactivity between the electrode and electrolyte and
manufacturing cost.
Process of electrolysis[edit]
The key process of electrolysis is the interchange of atoms and ions by the removal or addition of
electrons from the external circuit. The desired products of electrolysis are often in a different
physical state from the electrolyte and can be removed by some physical processes. For example,
in the electrolysis of brine to produce hydrogen and chlorine, the products are gaseous. These
gaseous products bubble from the electrolyte and are collected.[3]
2 NaCl + 2 H2O 2 NaOH + H2 + Cl2
A liquid containing mobile ions (electrolyte) is produced by:
Each electrode attracts ions that are of the opposite charge. Positively charged ions (cations)
move towards the electron-providing (negative) cathode. Negatively charged ions (anions) move
towards the electron-extracting (positive) anode.
In this process electrons are either absorbed or released. Neutral atoms gain or lose electrons and
become charged ions that then pass into the electrolyte. The formation of uncharged atoms from
ions is called discharging. When an ion gains or loses enough electrons to become uncharged
(neutral) atoms, the newly formed atoms separate from the electrolyte. Positive metal ions like
Cu++ deposit onto the cathode in a layer. The terms for this are electroplating, electrowinning, and
electrorefining. When an ion gains or loses electrons without becoming neutral, its electronic
charge is altered in the process. In chemistry, the loss of electrons is called Oxidation, while
electron gain is called reduction.
The half-equations for the electrolysis of sodium chloride solution (the electrolyte brine).
(a) The negative cathode electrode reaction for the electrolysis of brine (sodium
chloride solution)
The negative () cathode attracts the Na+ (from sodium chloride) and H+ ions (from
water). Only the hydrogen ions are discharged at the cathode. The more reactive a
metal, the less readily its ion is reduced on the electrode surface.
The hydrogen ions are reduced by electron (e) gain to form hydrogen molecules at the
negative electrode which attracts positive ions.
2H+(aq) + 2e ==> H2(g)
positive ion reduction by electron gain
other equations
2H2O(l) + 2e ==> H2(g) + 2OH-(aq)
or 2H3O+(aq) + 2e ==> H2(g) + 2H2O(l)
Nothing happens to the sodium ion, but it is still important (see after the anode
reaction has been described).
In fact, if sodium was released (which it isn't), it would immediately react with water to
give hydrogen, the same product you get from the reduction of the hydrogen ion.
Test for the cathode gas - colourless gas gives a squeaky pop with a lit splint
hydrogen
(b) The positive anode electrode reaction for the electrolysis of brine (sodium
chloride solution)
The positive anode attracts the negative hydroxide OH ions (from water) and chloride
Cl ions (from sodium chloride). Only the chloride ion is discharged in appreciable
quantities i.e. it is preferentially oxidised to chlorine.
The chloride ions are oxidised by electron loss to give chlorine molecules at the positive
electrode which attracts negative ions.
an oxidation electrode reaction
Usually nothing happens to the hydroxide ion BUT it is important, because, the
hydroxide ion, with the unchanged sodium ion, the residual solution contains sodium
hydroxide. In fact this is how sodium hydroxide is manufactured in the chemical
industry.
Na+ + OH = NaOH
The chloralkali process (also chlor-alkali and chlor alkali) is an industrial process for the
electrolysis of NaCl. It is the technology used to produce chlorine and sodium hydroxide (caustic
soda), which are commodity chemicals required by industry. 35 million tons of chlorine were
prepared by this process in 1987.[1] Industrial scale production began in 1892.
Usually the process is conducted on a brine (an aqueous solution of NaCl), in which case NaOH,
hydrogen, and chlorine result.