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School Chemistry describing & explaining electrolysis of copper sulfate solution, use in electroplating

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ELECTROLYSIS of COPPER(II) SULFATE SOLUTION and the APPLICATIONS

of ELECTROPLATING

(Suitable for AQA, Edexcel and OCR and other GCSE level chemistry students)

4. Using an electrolysis cell - investigating the electrolysis of copper(II)

sulfate solution with different electrodes and 'connection' with
electroplating any conducting surface

Full ELECTROCHEMISTRY INDEX

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Introduction to the electrolysis of copper sulfate solution

The electrolysis of copper sulfate solution with inert electrodes

The electrolysis of copper sulfate solution with copper electrodes - purification of copper

The applications of electroplating in industry

See also the Extraction and purification of copper

ELECTROCHEMISTRY INDEX

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4. (a) The electrolysis of copper(II) sulfate solution

The electrolyte copper(II) sulfate, provides a high concentration of copper(II) ions Cu2+ and sulfate ions SO42– to carry the current during the
electrolysis process. There are tiny concentrations of hydrogen ions H+ and hydroxide ions (OH–) from the self-ionisation of water itself, but these can
be ignored in this experiment.

H2O(l) H+(aq) + OH–(aq)

The electrolysis will only take place when electricity is passed through the copper ion solution.
 The technical details of the electrolysis of copper sulfate solution with two different electrodes (a)
graphite (carbon) electrodes and (b) copper electrodes are all explained below.

Electrolysis of a aqueous copper(II) sulfate solution CuSO4(aq)

The electrolysis of copper sulfate solution using inert electrodes

The products of
electrolysing copper
sulfate solution with
inert electrodes
(carbon/graphite or
platinum) are copper
metal and oxygen
gas.

Using the simple apparatus (above left diagram) and inert

carbon (graphite) or platinum electrodes, you can observe the products of the electrolysis of copper sulfate solution are (i) a copper deposit
on the negative cathode electrode and (ii) oxygen gas at the positive anode electrode.

This anode reaction differs from when you use copper electrodes (see section (b) below). 

You have to fill the little test tubes with the electrolyte (dil. copper sulfate solution), hold the liquid in with your finger and carefully invert
them over the nearly full electrolysis cell.

The very simple apparatus (above right) can be used with two inert wire electrodes.

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(a) The electrode products from the electrolysis of copper sulfate with inert graphite
(carbon) electrodes

(or platinum electrodes if you can afford them!)

Note: The majority of liquid water consists of covalent H2O molecules, but there are trace
quantities of H+ and OH– ions from the reversible self–ionisation of water:

H2O(l) H+(aq) + OH–(aq)

The half-equations for the electrolysis of copper(II) sulfate solution.

When the current is switched on, a copper deposit forms on the negative cathode and bubbles of
the colourless oxygen come off the positive anode. The concept diagram below illustrates the
process.

The electrode reactions and products of the electrolysis of the electrolyte copper sulfate solution (with inert carbon-graphite electrodes)
are illustrated by the theory diagram above

(i) a copper deposit on the negative cathode electrode surface

(ii) oxygen gas forms at the positive anode electrode surface

The negative cathode reaction with graphite electrodes

The negative cathode electrode attracts Cu2+ ions (from copper sulfate) and H+ ions (from water).

Only the copper ion is discharged, being reduced to copper metal.

 The less reactive a metal, the more readily its ion is reduced on the electrode surface, copper is below hydrogen in the reactivity series, so
copper ions are reduced to a copper deposit, in preference to hydrogen ions being reduced to hydrogen gas.

A brown copper deposit forms as the positive copper ions are attracted to the negative electrode (cathode)

Cu2+(aq)  +  2e–  ===>  Cu(s)

The positive copper ion is reduced by electron gain

The traces of hydrogen ions are not discharged, so you not see any gas bubbles collecting on the negative cathode electrode.

The blue colour fades as more and more copper is deposited, depleting the concentration of the blue copper ion Cu2+ ions in solution.

The positive anode reaction with graphite electrodes

Oxygen gas is formed at the positive electrode, an oxidation reaction (electron loss).

The negative sulfate ions (SO42-) or the traces of hydroxide ions (OH– from water) are attracted to the positive electrode.

But the sulfate ion is too stable and nothing happens.

Instead either hydroxide ions or water molecules are discharged and oxidised to form oxygen.

(i) 4OH–(aq) – 4e– ===> 2H2O(l) + O2(g)

The negative hydroxide ion is oxidised by electron loss

or written as:  4OH–(aq) ===> 2H2O(l) + O2(g) + 4e–

(ii) 2H2O(l) – 4e– ===> 4H+(aq) + O2(g)

The water molecule is oxidised by electron loss

or written as: 2H2O(l) ===> 4H+(aq) + O2(g) + 4e–

Test for the oxygen gas

The colourless gas should re-ignite a glowing splint - a simple test for oxygen.

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(b) The electrolysis of copper sulfate solution using copper electrodes

This is a method of purifying copper and extracting other valuable metals from the anode
sludge.
The products of electrolysing copper sulfate solution with copper electrodes are copper metal and
copper ions (because the copper anode dissolves).

Using the simple apparatus (right diagram) and two copper electrodes the products of the electrolysis of
copper sulfate solution are

(i) a copper deposit on the negative cathode electrode surface

(ii) copper dissolves from the positive anode electrode surface

This copper anode reaction differs from when you use an inert graphite electrode for the anode (see section (a) above).

When Copper(II) sulfate is electrolysed with a copper anode electrode (the cathode can be carbon or copper), the copper deposit on the
cathode (–) equals the copper dissolves at the anode (+). Therefore the blue colour of the Cu2+ ions stays constant because Cu deposited
= Cu dissolved.

Both half-reaction involve a two electron transfer so it means mass of Cu deposited = mass of Cu dissolving for the same quantity of
current flowing (flow of electrons).

You can check this out by weighing the dry electrodes before and after the electrolysis has taken place.

The experiment works with a carbon anode and you see the blackness of the graphite change to the orange-brown colour of the copper
deposit and the anode becomes depleted in copper.
 The electrode reactions and products of the electrolysis of copper sulfate solution with a copper anode are illustrated by the theory
diagram above - it doesn't matter whether the cathode is carbon or copper - you get the same copper deposit and the copper anode is
oxidised and dissolves to give the copper ion Cu2+(aq).

Electrode products from the electrolysis of copper sulfate with copper electrodes

Refer to the diagrams above when working through the reasoning of the half-reactions for the electrolysis of copper(II)
sulfate solution explained below.
 

(i) The negative cathode reaction with copper or carbon electrodes

The negative cathode electrode attracts Cu2+ ions (from copper sulfate) and H+ ions (from water).

Only the copper ion is discharged, being reduced to copper metal.

The less reactive a metal, the more readily its ion is reduced on the electrode surface.

A reduction electrode reaction at the negative cathode

Cu2+(aq) + 2e– ===> Cu(s)

A copper deposit forms, reduction of the copper ions, each gains 2 electrons.
Note on 'plating' - the formation of the copper deposit:

It doesn't matter what the cathode is made of, as long as it is a conducting material.

This is the basis of copper plating, and plating with any metal from a solution of its salt.

(ii) The positive anode reaction with a copper electrode

Its the copper anode that is the crucial difference than electrolysing copper sulfate solution with a inert
carbon/graphite/platinum electrode.
 The negative sulfate ions SO42- (from copper sulfate) or the traces of hydroxide ions OH– (from water) are attracted to the
positive electrode.

But both the sulfate ion and hydroxide ion are too stable and nothing happens to them because the copper anode is
preferentially oxidised to discharge Cu2+ copper ions into the electrolyte solution.

This is fairly unusual, because normally electrodes are 'inert', BUT, this technique is used in electroplating.

An oxidation electrode reaction at the positive anode

Cu(s)  –  2e– ===> Cu2+(aq)

The copper dissolves, oxidation of the copper atoms,  each losing 2 electrons to form blue Cu2+ ions in solution - in
this case the electrode is NOT inert.

or written as:  Cu(s) ===> Cu2+(aq)  +  2e–

A balancing act !
copper atoms oxidised to copper(II) ions: dissolving of copper in its electrolytic purification or electroplating (must have
positive copper anode). The change involves two electrons per copper atom.

copper(II) ion reduced to copper atoms: deposition of copper in its electrolytic purification or electroplating using copper(II)
sulfate solution, so the electrode can be copper or other metal to be plated OR any other conducting material. The change
involves two electrons per copper ion.

This means for every copper atom that gets oxidised, one copper ion is reduced, therefore ...

When copper electrodes are used in the electrolysis of copper sulfate solution, the mass loss of copper from the
positive anode electrode should equal the mass of copper gained and deposited on the negative cathode electrode.

You can show this by weighing both electrodes at the start of the experiment. After the current has passed for some
time, carefully extract the electrodes from the solution, wash them, dry them and reweigh them. The gain in mass of
the cathode should be about the same as the loss of mass from the anode.

(iii) In industry an anode sludge forms under the depleting impure block of copper
A deposit of dark material  gathers below the impure copper anode.

This is the residue left after the copper is oxidised, dissolves and transferred to the cathode.

In the electrolytic refining process, after the pure copper is deposited on the cathode plates insoluble impurities fall to the
bottom of the cell as anode mud or anode sludge.

Anode sludge contains gold (Au) and other valuable metals like silver (Ag), platinum (Pt), and palladium (Pd).

These can be extracted from the anode sludge created by the electro-refining process.

In the formation of copper ore veins, copper concentrates often these precious metals and reclamation of these metals from
anode slime is economically attractive and also it is environmentally friendly.

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ELECTROPLATING

Appendix ELECTROPLATING with e.g. copper, zinc, chromium or silver.

Metal electrodes dipped in aqueous salt solutions

For electroplating in general:

The negative cathode electrode is made the metal/conducting surface to be coated, and the positive anode electrode is made of
the plating metal which dissolves and replaces any deposit formed on the cathode -which is the conducting article to be
electroplated.

See also Extraction and purification of copper

INTRODUCTION TO ELECTROPLATING and its APPLICATIONS - diagram and explanatory notes below it.
This section below has some technical details e.g. the electrode equations, or go straight to the industrial applications of electroplating
As already described already the use of a copper positive anode electrode is the basis of the method of electroplating any conducting solid
with a layer of copper which can be reproduced by electroplating other conducting materials with zinc (a way of galvanising steel), nickel,
silver or chromium ('chromium plating'). Read on in conjunction with the theory diagram above describing the process of electroplating.

The CATHODE object to be electroplated must be a conducting material, usually a metal, and must be made the negative cathode
electrode and completely immersed in the electrolyte solution.

The ANODE is usually a bar of the metal that is being electroplated onto the cathode object, giving a continuous supply of the
coating metal and ensuring the concentration of electrolyte metal ion does not diminish as the electrolytic plating continues. The metal
anode bar must be oxidised to provide a metal ion that can migrate across to the cathode and be discharged as the electrolysis takes
place.

The electrolyte solution must contain ions of the metal that will form the electroplated deposit; and the ions come from an appropriate
salt solution e.g. copper sulfate for copper, silver nitrate for silver, zinc sulfate for zinc or chromium chloride for chromium coatings.

The anode must be made of the metal that will form the electroplated coating on the positive anode object e.g. copper or silver.

As the metal is coated on the -ve cathode object, simultaneously the metal of the +ve anode is oxidised to refresh the solution of metal
ions. so there is no depletion of the crucial ion concentration. These positive ions will migrate towards the negative electrode object to be
coated.

The purification of copper by electrolysis amounts to copper plating so all you have to do is swap the pure negative copper cathode with the
metal you want to coat (e.g. Ni, Ag or Au or any material with a conducting surface).

Swap the impure positive copper anode with any pure block of the metal you want to form the coating layer on the negative electrode
object.

So any conducting (usually metal) object can be electroplated with copper, silver or gold for aesthetic reasons (decorative jewellery
objects) or steel with zinc (galvanising) or a shiny chromium as anti-corrosion protective layer on steel. Any dull looking cheap metal can
be made to look rather more shiny and attractive by electroplating. So cheap brass objects can be 'silver plated' and 'gold plated' to look
more valuable that they really are!

Examples - half-reactions given, but read in conjunction with the general notes and diagram in the introduction.

(i) Copper electroplating (copper plating by electrolysis of a copper salt solution)

(-ve cathode electrode) Cu2+(aq) + 2e– ==> Cu(s)

electron gain, reduction, copper deposited (electroplated) on the cathode object, dull object might look a lot prettier!

(+ve anode electrode) Cu(s) – 2e– ==> Cu2+(aq)

supplies copper ions, electron loss, copper atoms oxidised

(ii) Zinc electroplating (zinc plating by electrolysis)

a reduction electrode reaction at the negative cathode electrode in zinc salt solution

(– ve cathode electrode) Zn2+(aq) + 2e– ==> Zn(s)

electron gain, zinc ion reduced, zinc deposit formed e.g. galvanising steel by electroplating

(+ve anode electrode) Zn(s) ==> Zn2+(aq) + 2e–

zinc atoms of the positive zinc anode electrode are oxidised, electron loss, supplying more zinc ions

zinc ions reduced to zinc atoms: galvanising steel (the electrode) by electroplating from aqueous zinc sulfate solution, (or from
molten zinc chloride?)

(iii) Silver electroplating (silver plating by electrolysis)

 a reduction electrode reaction at the negative cathode electrode in a silver salt solution

(– ve cathode electrode) Ag+(aq) + e–  ==> Ag(s)

silver deposit as the silver ions are reduced to silver atoms, thereby electroplating the object, from cheaper metals
like brass, to good looking silver ones and electroplated brass is much cheaper than pure silver and looks just as
good!

(+ ve anode electrode) Ag(s) ==> Ag+(aq) + e–

silver atoms oxidised on the surface of the silver anode, re-supplying the electrolyte with silver ions

You can do this using the electrolysis of silver nitrate solution.

Incidentally, as a school experiment, if you use lead nitrate solution you will get a coating of lead, despite lead being more
reactive than hydrogen. BUT, who would want to coat anything with lead?!

(– ve cathode electrode) Pb2+(aq) +  2e–  ==> Pb(s)

In both these cases in a school/college experiment you will get oxygen at the anode:

anode (+):   4OH–(aq) – 4e– ==> 2H2O(l) + O2(g)

However a solution of a gold salt is used to electroplate any other metal surface with a nice looking gold surface - but this is a
bit costly for schools!

(iv) Chromium electroplating (chromium plating by electrolysis)

a reduction electrode reaction at the negative cathode electrode in chromium(III) salt solution

(– ve cathode electrode) Cr3+(aq) + 3e–  ==> Cr(s)

chromium deposit as the chromium ions from a chromium salt solution are reduced to chromium atoms,
thereby electroplating the object, from cheaper metals like steel, to good looking shiny chromium plated
ones!

(v) Tin electroplating (tin plating by electrolysis, 'tinning')

a reduction electrode reaction at the negative cathode electrode in a tin salt solution

(–ve cathode electrode) Sn2+(aq) + 2e– ==> Sn(s)

electron gain, tin ion reduced, tin deposit formed.

(vi) Nickel electroplating (nickel plating by electrolysis)

a reduction electrode reaction at the negative cathode electrode in a nickel salt solution e.g. nickel(II) sulfate

(–ve cathode electrode) Ni2+(aq) + 2e– ==> Ni(s)

electron gain, nickel ion reduced, nickel deposit formed.

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Examples of APPLICATIONS of ELECTROPLATING

Please note that examples of electrode equations for plating are given in the previous sections on this page

Feature property Example of electroplating applications (all you need is ANY conducting material !)

Electroplating to forms a Electroplating can create a barrier on a material that protects it against atmospheric conditions such as corrosion.
protective barrier e.g. to Electroplated parts can last longer and need to be replaced less frequently and so saving money. Examples of
give a material anti- corrosion protection include nickel plating, tin plating and their various alloys are all used for corrosion protection on
corrosion properties nuts, bolts, housings, brackets and many other metal parts and components.
including rust
prevention Gold electroplating provides a superior corrosion and tarnish protection, but it is more expensive than other plating
processes! Plating for anti-corrosion - prevention of tarnishing is used to protect against premature tarnishing in
certain kinds of metals and also reduce the likelihood of scratching. Silverware products retain their attractiveness
and hold their value over a longer time.

Zinc electroplating plating is used in the manufacture of washers, bolts, nuts, transmission components, armoured
personnel carriers and tanks to reduce corrosion.

Tin electroplating or “tinning,” to give a material enhanced surface anti-corrosion properties is a cost-effective
alternative to plating with more expensive materials such as gold or silver and used in the manufacture of electronic
parts and components, hardware products, fasteners, screws, nuts and bolts.

Electroplating with nickel gives greater corrosion protection, greater wear resistance and increased surface thickness
e.g. in the production of electronic and computer parts and components.

Electroplated surfaces Jewellery can be electroplated with a thin layer of a precious metal to make it more lustrous and attractive to
 to enhance appearance customers. This gives manufacturers a cost-effective way to make products more aesthetically appealing. Jewellers
can sell products that look like pure gold or other precious metals like silver at a much lower price!

Electroplating with chromium can be used to refurbish old chrome parts such as bumpers, grills and tire rims of cars
to make them look brand new. You can chromium electroplate the plastic lightweight but sturdy parts of a modern
car.

It is possible to electroplate copper onto non-metal materials like plastic to enhance their appearance e.g. the fashion
industry can convert dull looking plastic into an attractive shiny metallic looking material.

Plating to reduce Nickel electroplating can reduce the build-up of friction in certain materials such as electrical connectors, so
surface friction improving performance and reducing premature wear and tear.

Enhancing electrical Electroplating with silver or tin-lead alloys can increase electrical conductivity, useful in the manufacture of
conductivity electronics and electrical components.

Economically, it is a cost-effective and efficient electrical conductivity solution.

A silver salt electroplating solution can be used in the production of solar panels.

Electroplating to Electroplating processes with gold or zinc-nickel alloys can make surfaces capable of withstanding extremely high
improve heat resistance temperatures.

Electroplating with these metals protects engine parts and components from damage caused by extreme
temperatures, and so increasing their lifespan.

Plating to give a surface Electroplating with copper gives an undercoating that facilitates adhesion with a variety of additional coatings.
to promotes adhesion Copper plating provides a smooth and uniform surface finish for further treatment.

SUMMARY OF PRODUCTS FROM THE ELECTROLYSIS OF COPPER(II) SULFATE SOLUTION

with carbon OR copper electrodes

Electrolyte negative negative electrode positive positive electrode
cathode anode
product cathode half-equation product anode half-equation
aqueous copper(II) copper any conducting electrode e.g. carbon rod, oxygen gas inert electrode like carbon (graphite rod) or
sulfate deposit any metal including copper itself platinum

CuSO4(aq) Cu2+(aq) + 2e– ==> Cu(s) (i) 4OH–(aq) – 4e– ==> 2H2O(l) + O2(g)

with carbon electrodes or  4OH–(aq) ==> 2H2O(l) + O2(g) + 4e–

(ii) 2H2O(l) – 4e– ==> 4H+(aq) + O2(g)

or 2H2O(l) ==> 4H+(aq) + O2(g) + 4e–

aqueous copper (II) copper any conducting electrode e.g. carbon rod, copper(II) copper anode electrode
sulfate deposit any metal including copper itself ions – the
copper Cu(s) – 2e– ==> Cu2+(aq)
CuSO4(aq) Cu2+(aq) + 2e– ==> Cu(s) anode
dissolves or  Cu(s) ==> Cu(s) + 2e–
with copper electrodes this is the copper plating equation
*********************** ************ ******************************************* ************* *************************************************

Electrolysis Quiz (GCSE 9-1 HT Level (harder)

ELECTROCHEMISTRY INDEX
keywords and phrases: revision study notes for AQA Edexcel OCR IGCSE/GCSE chemistry topics modules on explaining the electrolysis copper sulfate solution with copper electrodes
carbon graphite electrodes platinum electrodes electroplating half-equations products at the positive anode products at the negative cathode description of apparatus for doing
electrolysis experimental investigation electrolyte diagrams of electrolysis cell experiments anode sludge the purification of copper by electrolysis, applications of electroplating in
industry preventing corrosion improving appearance electrical conduction nickel chromium tin silver zinc gold plating by electrolysis

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