Electrolysis

08/03/14

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
08/03/14

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.
Requirements of electrolysis
08/03/14

Two electrodes - Electrode is an electrical

conductor which provides the physical
interface between the electrical circuit
providing the energy and the electrolyte.
Requirements of electrolysis
08/03/14

The following figure

shows the
electrolyte, battery
( power supply) and
electrodes
( cathode and anode )
required for
electrolysis.
 Electrolysis
08/03/14

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
CuCl2 (s)

Molecule of solid
copper chloride after
being dissolved
chloride Copper CuCl2 (aq)
ion ion
Electrolysis
08/03/14

Electrolysis is
used to
separate a
metal from its
compound.

= chloride ion

= copper ion
 Purifying Copper
08/03/14

Impure + -- Pure copper

copper
+ Cu 2+ --
Solution
+ Cu 2+

containing + Cu 2+
copper ions

At the anode: At the cathode:

Cu(s) Cu2+(aq) + 2e- Cu2+(aq) + 2e- Cu(s)
 Electrolysis equations 08/03/14

We need to be able to write “half equations” to show what

happens during electrolysis (e.g. for copper chloride):

At the negative electrode the

positive ions GAIN electrons to
become neutral copper ATOMS. The
half equation is:
Cu2+ + 2e- Cu

At the positive electrode the

negative ions LOSE electrons to
become neutral chlorine
MOLECULES. The half equation is:
2 Cl- - 2e- Cl2
 08/03/14
Oxidation and Reduction in Electrolysis

At the positive At the negative

electrode the electrode the
negative ions LOSE positive ions GAIN
electrons –This is electrons – this is
called Oxidation. called Reduction.
The half equation is: The half equation is:
2Cl- - 2e- Cl2 Cu2+ + 2e- Cu
 Electrolysis of brine
08/03/14

Sodium chloride (salt) is made of an alkali metal and a

halogen. When it’s dissolved we call the solution
“brine”, and we can electrolyse it to produce 3
things…
Chlorine gas (Cl2) – used to Hydrogen gas (H2) – used
kill bacteria and to make to manufacture ammonia
acids, bleach and plastics and margarine

Sodium
chloride (brine)
NaCl(aq)

Sodium hydroxide
(NaOH(aq)). Used to
Positive Negative make soap, paper and
electrode electrode ceramics