Applied chemistry

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Lecture 10
 Electrolysis
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 the passage of a direct electric current through an ionic
substance that is either molten or dissolved in a suitable
solvent, resulting in chemical reactions at electrodes and
separation of materials.
Requirements of electrolysis

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 An electrolyte - It is a substance containing
free ions which are the carriers of electric current in the
electrolyte

 A direct current (DC) supply - It provides

the electrical energy necessary to create or
discharge the ions in the electrolyte. Electrical current is
carried by electrons in the external circuit
 
 Two electrodes - Electrode is an electrical conductor
which provides the physical interface between the
electrical circuit providing the energy and the electrolyte.
 
 The following figure
shows the electrolyte,
battery ( power supply) and
electrodes ( cathode and
anode ) required for
electrolysis.
 
 If you melt or dissolve an ionic compound (such as NaCl or CuCl2), then
the ions become free to move around – and carry electrical current.

 Molecule of solid
copper chloride
CuCl 2 (s)

 Molecule of solid
copper chloride after
being dissolved
 
 At the negative electrode the
positive ions GAIN electrons to
become neutral copper ATOMS. The
half equation is:
Cu2+ + e- Cu

 At the positive electrode the

negative ions LOSE electrons to
become neutral chlorine
MOLECULES. The half equation is:
Cl- - e- Cl2
 Oxidation and Reduction in Electrolysis


 At the positive electrode the negative ions LOSE
electrons –This is called Oxidation.
The half equation is:
2Cl- - 2e- Cl 2

 At the negative electrode the positive ions GAIN

electrons – this is called Reduction.
The half equation is:
Cu2+ + 2e- Cu
 Electrolysis of brine

 Sodium chloride (salt) is made of an alkali metal and a halogen. When it’s
dissolved we call the solution “brine”, and we can electrolyze it to produce 3
things…

 Chlorine gas (Cl2) – used to

kill bacteria and to make
acids, bleach and plastics

 Hydrogen gas (H2) – used

to manufacture ammonia
and margarine

 Sodium hydroxide
(NaOH (aq.)). Used to
make soap, paper and
ceramics
Faraday’s law of electrolysis
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Example 1


 A current of 0.5 ampere was passed through a solution
of CuSO4 for one hour. Calculate the mass of copper
metal deposited on the cathode. Electrochemical
equivalent of Cu= 0.000329 g/C= 3.29x10-4 g/C or
3.294x 10-7 Kg/C.
Example 2


When an aqueous solution of copper sulphate is
electrolyzed, copper is deposited at the cathode.

Cu2+ + 2e- Cu (at cathode)

If a constant current was passed for 5 hours ad 404 mg of
Cu was deposited. Calculate the current passed through
CuSO4
Example 3

When one faraday or 96500 coulombs of electricity is
passed through a silver nitrate solution, 108 gms of silver
is deposited.
Calculate the electrochemical equivalent of silver
Example 4

 How many grams of oxygen is liberated by the
electrolysis of water after passing 0.0565 ampere for
185 sec
Example 5

 0.1978g of copper is obtained by electrolysis of copper
salt solution for 5 mints using 2 ampere current. Calculate
the electrochemical equivalent of copper.
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Thank you