Electrolysis

Chemistry · 10 B

Group Members
· Felipe E. Sanchez
· Daniella Mendez
· Francisco Balbuena
· Abigail Medina
 Electrolysis
Electrolysis is defined as a process of
decomposing ionic compounds into their
elements by passing a direct electric
current through the compound in a fluid
form.
Electrolysis is usually done in a vessel
named ‘electrolytic cell’ containing two
electrodes (cathode and anode)
connected to a direct current source
and an electrolyte which is an ionic
compound undergoing decomposition,
in either molten form or in a dissolves
state in a suitable solvent. Generally,
electrodes that are made from metal,
graphite and semiconductor materials
are used. However, the choice of a
suitable electrode is done based on
chemical reactivity between the
electrode and electrolyte as well as the
manufacturing cost.
 The electrolytic process
● is the process of
decomposition of an
solute which is
composed of 2 or
more ionic elements.
Electrolysis Process
The cell potential or voltage is the sum
of the potential required for the
reduction and oxidation reaction.
The potential involved in various redox
reactions is available in literature as
standard reduction potential.
01
Faraday’s Law of
electrolysis
Daniela’s Part
 01 The extent of the redox reaction depends on the
amount of current flowing through the battery. The
amount of reaction or the number of ions released is
given by Faraday's law of electrolysis. There are two
ways. Faraday's first law can be summarized as
follows: PICTURE 1
where m is the mass of the changing substance, E is
the equivalent mass of the substance, "I" is the
PICTURE 1 current, and "t" is the time in seconds for the current
to pass.

Faraday's second law compares the masses of

different substances that undergo changes under the
PICTURE 2 same electric current. According to the second law.
PICTURE 2
Here, M and E are the changed mass or equivalent
mass of the substance.
02

Products of
Electrolysis
.
02 Products of Electrolysis
• Direct electrolysis occurs when only two ions—a
cation and an anion—are present in an
electrolyte. The compound's products will be
produced via electrolysis.

• Each ion will fight for reductions and oxidations

when there are multiple cations and anions
present. Reactions with higher positive redox
potentials are more likely to be reduced or
oxidized than others.

• Only one can be reduced or oxidized.

• On occasion, the ions' relative amounts may

determine whether they are reduced or oxidized.
In other words, the electrolysis and redox
process may end up being kinetically regulated
 Factors
Affecting
Electrolysis
 Mercury
The following variables could have an
impact on electrolysis:

i) The nature of the electrode

ii) Nature and state of the electrolyte

iii) Nature and electrode potential of ions present in the ele
ctrolyte and

iv) Overvoltage at the electrodes.

iii) The Electrode's
Nature
Different products may be produced
from the same electrolyte depending
on its composition. The following
redox reactions are conceivable
during electrolysis of aqueous copper
sulfate solution.
Factors Affecting electrolysis.
i)  Nature and State of the Electrolyte
• Ions travel toward the electrodes that have
opposing charges during electrolysis. The
electrolyte should naturally contain mobile ions.
Ions in solids have particular locations and are
immobile at room temperature. Solids cannot
therefore be electrolyzed.

• Electrolyte must be in liquid form for electrolysis,

either molten or in solution with a suitable polar
solvent. Sodium chloride can be electrolyzed while it
is liquid or while it is dissolved in water.
ii) The Ions in the Electrolyte, Their
Nature, and Their Electrode Potential

• Given the two elements on electrolysis, electrolysis

of electrolytes containing two elemental ions is
simple. Chlorine and sodium atoms are produced
when sodium chloride is molten.

• Radical ions cannot be electrolyzed to produce

elemental atoms.
ii) The Ions in the Electrolyte, Their
Nature, and Their Electrode Potential

• - The relative redox potentials affect electrolytes

with several ionic compounds. Electrolysis of
electrolyte aqueous solutions. Redox reactions
involving the electrolyte ions will be competed with
by redox reactions involving water molecules.
Molten sodium chloride is electrolyzed to produce
sodium and chlorine.
• - However, electrolysis of aqueous sodium chloride
produces chlorine and hydrogen instead of sodium.
 For
example
At cathode: Reduction at pH =7
Cu2+ (aq) + 2e– →Cu (s) E° = 0.34V and
2H2O + 2e–→H2 + 2OH– E° = -1.02V
At anode: Oxidation at pH = 7
Cu(s) →Cu2+ (aq) + 2e– E° = – 0.34V and
2H2O → O2(g) + 4H+ + 4e– E° = +1.4 V
Explanation
Out of the two electrodes at the
cathode, the reduction potential of
copper ions is greater than that of
water. Therefore, copper ions from
the electrolyte will be reduced and
deposited on the cathode,
increasing its mass, regardless of
the electrode. However, the
electrode affects the anode
reaction.
 Inert electrodes do not change
because they do not react with the
electrolyte or the products. Since
the potential for oxidizing water is
more favorable, oxygen will be
evolved at the anode.

However, if copper is used as an

anode, it will interact with the
sulfate ion in a way that preserves
the electrolyte concentration.
There won't be any gas evolution
as a result. Instead, as it enters
the solution, the anode mass
slowly decreases.
iv) Overvoltage of electrodes

The electrolysis reactions and by

products are determined by the
redox potential of the electrolyte
ions.
Factors Affecting electrolysis.
iv)  Ions’ Overvoltage

• Sometimes, during electrolysis, the redox

potentials of some half-reactions exceed the
thermodynamic potentials.
• The half-reaction's excess voltage (overvoltage)
could make the reaction unfavorable and alter the
electrolysis's end product. There are two possible
oxidation reactions that can happen during the
hydrolysis of aqueous sodium chloride at the
anode: Water and chloride
Electrolysis
application
Electrolysis has a wide range of uses in
both industrial and experimental items.
Among the significant ones are:
 1) Establishing the eight comparable chemicals.
2) Alkali and alkaline earth metal metallurgy.
3) Metal purification
4) The production of pure gases.
Electrolysis 5) Production of substances like potassium
chlorate, sodium carbonate, and sodium

application 6)
hydroxide, among others.
Electroplating for ornamental purposes,
corrosion resistance, etc.
Electrolysis has a wide range of uses in
both industrial and experimental items.
Among the significant ones are:
 Alkaine Electrolytic Cells
No. 1 It is a type of electrolyzer that is characterized by
having two electrodes operating in a liquid alkaline
electrolyte solution of potassium hydroxide (KOH)
or sodium hydroxide (NaOH).
Polymer Electrolytic Cells
No. 2 electrochemical devices, converting the chemical
energy of fuel directly into electrical energy.

Solid Oxide Electrolytic Cells

Is a solid oxide fuel cell that runs in regenerative mode
No. 3 to achieve the electrolysis of water (and/or carbon
dioxide) by using a solid oxide, or ceramic, electrolyte
to produce hydrogen gas (and/or carbon monoxide)
and oxygen.
Let’s do a
Quiz!
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