Electrolytic

Process

By Dattatraya H Nagaraj
Assistant Professor
DSATM
Definition of Electrolysis

● An electrolyte is such a chemical that's atoms are normally

closely bonded together but when it is dissolved in water, its
molecules split up into positive and negative ions.
● The positively charged ions are referred as cations whereas
negatively charged ions are referred as anions
● Both cations and anions move freely in the solution
PRINCIPLE OF ELECTROLYSIS
Electrolysis of Copper Sulphate

● CuSO4 = Cu+ + (cat ion) and SO4 − − (anion)

● Cu+ + ions (cation) will be attracted towards cathode. Cu+ + ion
will take electrons from it and becomes neutral copper atoms
● Similarly the SO4 − − (anion) ions will be attracted by anode
● SO4 − − ions will move towards anode where they give up two
electrons and become SO4 radical
Faraday's Laws of Electrolysis

Faraday's First Law of Electrolysis

According to this law, the chemical deposition due to flow of electric

current through an electrolyte is directly proportional to the quantity of
electricity (coulombs) passed through it.

i.e. mass of chemical deposition

Where Z is a constant of proportionality and is known as electrochemical

equivalent of the substance.
Faraday's Second Law of Electrolysis

Faraday's second law of electrolysis states that, when the same

quantity of electricity is passed through several electrolytes, the
mass of the substances deposited are proportional to their respective
chemical equivalent or equivalent weight.
Electrolytic Refining of Metal

● Copper
● Gold
● Nickel
● Lead
● Zinc
● Iron
Electrolytic Refining of Copper

● Copper extracted from ore, known as blister copper, is 98 to 99 %

● 99.95% pure for electrical application can be obtained by the

process of electro refining.
● Block of impure copper as anode or positive electrode
● Copper sulfate acidified with sulfuric acid, electrolyte
● Pure copper plates coated with graphite, as cathode or negative
electrode.
 Extraction of Metal
● By dissolving the ore in the strong acid to form electrolyte
solution of the metal to be extracted.
● Molten ore can be used directly as electrolyte

● Extraction of zinc

● Extraction of aluminium
Extraction of Zinc

● Zinc ore has greater percentage of zinc oxide

● Zinc oxide + sulphuric acid = zinc sulphate
● Zinc sulphate is electrolyte
● Aluminium electrodes
● 1000 A
● Zinc is deposited on cathode electrode
Extraction of Aluminium
Electro-Deposition
● The method of depositing one metal over another metal
or nonmetal electrically is known as electrodeposition
● Electroplating ,electrotyping , electroforming etc
● Factors on which smooth fine grains deposition depends
1. Current density
2. Electrolytic concentration
3. Conductivity
4. Additional agent
5. Nature of electrolyte
6. Temperature
7. Throwing power
Current efficiency

● Current efficiency = Actual quantity deposited

Theoretical quantity deposited

● 90% - 98%
THANK YOU