electrolysis: an introduction vce chemistry unit 4: chemistry at work

Electrolysis: An Electrolysis: An IntroductionIntroduction

VCE Chemistry VCE Chemistry

Unit 4: Chemistry at WorkUnit 4: Chemistry at Work

Area of Study 2 – Using EnergyArea of Study 2 – Using Energy

During electrolysis, electrical energy is converted into chemical energy.

This is the reverse of the process that occurs in a galvanic cell where spontaneous reactions are a source of electrical energy.

Electrolysis has a variety of industrial applications.

These include electroplating and electrorefining as well as the recharging secondary cells.

Non-spontaneous reactions are forced to occur in electrolytic cells by passing an electric current from an external power source through an electrolyte.

The potential energy of the system is increased as electrical energy is forced into the cell.

ElectrolysisElectrolysis

In galvanic cells the reactions are separated so electrons can be used as they are transferred.

Electrolytic cells have two electrodes and an electrolyte.

Electrolytic cells differ from galvanic cells in that the anode is the positive electrode while the cathode is the negative electrode.

The polarities of the anode and cathode change because in galvanic cells the polarity is imposed by the reactions themselves.

At the anode, electrons are produced and at the cathode electrons are consumed.

In electrolytic cells the polarity is imposed by the power source.

This pulls electrons from the anode and forces electrons onto the cathode.

Galvanic & Electrolytic Cells - A Comparison Galvanic & Electrolytic Cells - A Comparison

Regardless of which cell, electron flow is always the same – from anode to cathode!

Oxidation always occurs at the anode and reduction always occurs at the cathode!

Electrolytic CellsElectrolytic Cells

Electrolytic CellsElectrolytic Cells

When electrons are forced into the cell, the oxidants present at the surface of the electrode compete with one another to accept them.

The strongest of the oxidants present preferentially accepts the electrons and is discharged, i.e. the oxidant highest on the electrochemical series accepts the electrons.

Similarly, at the anode where the electrons are being withdrawn, the reductants present at the anode surface compete to donate electrons.

The strongest of the reductants is preferentially discharged.

Predicting ElectrolyticPredicting Electrolytic ReactionsReactions

Note that if two competitors have very similar E° values, they will probably both be discharged simultaneously.

In aqueous solutions, the water may be involved in either the oxidation or the reduction reaction or both.

Predicting Electrolytic ReactionsPredicting Electrolytic Reactions

Predict the products at each electrode during electrolysis for the following 1 M solutions (unreactive electrodes used) . The nitrate ion is not involved in any of the reactions.

a. Copper(II) bromide

b. Sodium iodide

c. Lead nitrate

d. Zinc chloride

e. Aluminium nitrate

Predicting Electrolytic Reactions - QuestionsPredicting Electrolytic Reactions - Questions

a. 1 M copper(II) bromide

Species present at the electrodes are Cu2+ (aq), Br- (aq) and H2O (l)

Possible reductions:

Cu2+ (aq) + 2e- Cu (s) +0.34 V

2H2O (l) + 2e- H2 (g) + 2OH- (aq) -0.83 V

Here the strongest oxidant (most positive Eo value) is Cu2+.

Thus, at the cathode Cu forms.

Possible oxidations:

Br2 (g) + 2e- 2Br- (aq) +1.09 V

O2 (g) + 4H+ (aq) + 4e- 2H2O (aq) +1.23 V

Here the strongest reductant (least positive Eo value) is 2Br-.

Thus at the anode Br2 forms.

Overall equation: Cu2+ (a) + 2Br- (aq) Cu (s) + Br2 (g)

Predicting Electrolytic Reactions - SolutionsPredicting Electrolytic Reactions - Solutions

b. 1 M sodium iodide

Species present at the electrodes are Na+ (aq), I- (aq) and H2O (l)


Na+ (aq) + e- Na (s) -2.71 V

2H2O (l) + 2e- H2 (g) + 2OH- (aq) -0.83 V

The strongest oxidant (most positive Eo value) is H2O.

Thus at the cathode H2 and 2OH- form.


I2 (g) + 2e- 2I- (aq) +0.54 V

O2 (g) + 4H+ (aq) + 4e- 2H2O (aq) +1.23 V

The strongest reductant (least positive Eo value) is 2I-.

Thus at the anode I2 forms.

Overall equation: 2H2O (l) + 2I- (aq) H2 (g) + 2OH- (aq) + I2 (g)


c. 1 M lead(II) nitrate

Species present at the electrodes are Pb2+ (aq) and H2O (l)


Pb2+ (aq) + 2e- Pb (s) +0.13 V

2H2O (l) + 2e- H2 (g) + 2OH- (aq) -0.83 V

The strongest oxidant (most positive Eo value) is Pb2+.

Thus, at the cathode Pb forms.


O2 (g) + 4H+ (aq) + 4e- 2H2O (aq) +1.23 V

The strongest reductant (least positive Eo value) is 2H2O.

Thus at the anode O2 and 4H+ form.

Overall equation: 2Pb2+ (aq) + 2H2O (l) 2Pb (s) + O2 (g) + 4H+ (aq)


d. 1 M zinc chloride

Species present at the electrodes are Zn2+ (aq), Cl- (aq) and H2O (l)


Zn2+ (aq) + 2e- Zn (s) -0.76 V

2H2O (l) + 2e- H2 (g) + 2OH- (aq) -0.83 V

The strongest oxidant (most positive Eo value) is Zn2+.

Thus, at the cathode Zn forms.


Cl2 (g) + 2e- 2Cl- (aq) +1.36 V

O2 (g) + 4H+ (aq) + 4e- H2O (l) +1.23 V



Overall equation: 2Zn2+ (aq) + 2H2O (aq) 2Zn (s) + O2 (g) + 4H+ (aq)


e. 1 M aluminium nitrate

Species present at the electrodes are Al3+ (aq) and H2O (l)


Al3+ (aq) + 3e- Al (s) -1.71 V

2H2O (l) + 2e- H2 (g) + 2OH- (aq) -0.83 V

The strongest oxidant (most positive Eo value) is 2H2O.

Thus at the cathode H2 and 2OH- form.


O2 (g) + 4H+ (aq) + 4e- 2H2O (aq) +1.23 V



Overall equation: 6H2O (l) 2H2 (g) + 4OH- (aq) + O2 (g) + 4H+ (aq)


In this application, the cathode is coated with a thin layer of metal from a solution containing ions of the metal.

This is done to improve the appearance or to prevent corrosion by the application of a protective layer.

The object to be plated is attached to the negative terminal of a power supply and becomes the cathode.

It is then placed in an electrolyte solution containing ions of the metal that forms the plating.

The anode is made from the metal that is to form the plating.

To ensure the coating on the surface is strongly bonded and smooth, the electrolyte is a complex mixture of ions and the conditions (voltage, current, time) carefully controlled.

Applied Electrolysis - ElectroplatingApplied Electrolysis - Electroplating

Applied Electrolysis - ElectroplatingApplied Electrolysis - Electroplating

Metals can be purified by electrolysis.

The impure metal is used as the anode and oxidised.

Metals that are stronger reductants will also be discharged at the electrode surface.

Any constituents of the anode that are weaker reductants are not oxidised but fall as uncharged metal atoms to the bottom of the cell.

This leaves an electrolyte solution containing ions of the metal to be refined and a small amount of other ions.

The mixture of metal ions in solution compete for electrons at the cathode surface.

As the dissolved impure ions are weaker oxidants, the metal to be refined is preferentially reduced at the cathode, and is in a much purer form.

Applied Electrolysis - ElectrorefiningApplied Electrolysis - Electrorefining

Applied Electrolysis - ElectrorefiningApplied Electrolysis - Electrorefining

Applied ElectrolysisApplied Electrolysis

Sodium from Molten Sodium Chloride – The Downs Cell

Sodium from Molten Sodium Chloride – The Downs Cell

Products Sodium metal and chlorine gas must be kept separate otherwise they will spontaneously react

Anode reactionCathode reactionOverall reaction

2Cl- (l) Cl2 (g) + 2e-

Na+ (l) + e- Na (l)2Na (l) + 2Cl- (l) 2Na (l) + Cl2 (g)

Anode (+)Cathode (-)

Carbon in centre of cellCylindrical iron near edge of the cell

Conditions Molten NaCl and CaCl2 electrolyte added to the melt to lower the melting point from 801oC to below 600oC7 Volts, 30 000 Amps, electric current melts electrolyte


Aluminium from Molten Alumina The Hall-Héroult Process


Aluminium from Molten Alumina The Hall-Héroult Process

Products Aluminium metal and carbon dioxide gas must be kept separated otherwise they will spontaneously react


C (s) + 2O2- (l) CO2 (g) + 4e-

Al3+ (l) + 3e- Al (l)2Al2O3 (l) + 3C (s) 4Al (l) + 3CO2 (g)


Graphite, lowered into top of cell and consumed during reaction Graphite lining and aluminium metal at the bottom of the cell

Conditions Al2O3 dissolved in cryolite, Na3AlF6, which lowers the melt point of alumina from 2045oC to ~1000oC5 Volts, 150 000 Amps, electric current melts electrolyte


Sodium Hydroxide and Chlorine from Brine The Membrane Cell


Sodium Hydroxide and Chlorine from Brine The Membrane Cell

Products Sodium hydroxide, chlorine gas and hydrogen gas must be kept separated otherwise they will spontaneously react


2Cl- (l) Cl2 (g) + 2e-

2H2O (l) + 2e- H2 (g) + 2OH- (aq)2H2O (l) + 2Cl- (l) H2 (g) + 2OH- (aq) + Cl2 (g)


GraphiteSteel mesh

Conditions Cells separated by plastic semipermeable membrane that prevents mixing of products and allows Na+ ions to migrate but neither Cl- or OH- ions. Ensures a purer NaOH solution.3.5 – 5 Volts, up to 80 000 Amps, electric current heats electrolyte


If you wished to electroplate an object, you might ask yourself the following questions:

How can I determine how much metal is being plated?

How long should I leave the object being plated in the electroplating cell?

What size electric current should be used?

Faraday’s Laws of ElectrolysisFaraday’s Laws of Electrolysis

Michael Faraday was a 19th century English chemist.

His studies yielded two laws relating amount of electric current and the chemicals produced by the current or used to produce it.

These laws enable us to:

Work out the amount of energy required to discharge a metal ion and place it out on an object or

To calculate the amount of metal produced in an electrolytic cell.

Faraday’s Laws of ElectrolysisFaraday’s Laws of Electrolysis

The mass of metal produced at the cathode is directly proportional to the quantity of electricity passed through the cell

m Q

Electric charge, Q, is measured using the unit coulomb.

The electric charge passing through a cell may be calculated from measurements of the current, I, through the cell and the time, t, for which the current flows.

Charge (coulombs) = current (amps) x time (seconds)

Q = I t

Faraday’s Laws of Electrolysis – First LawFaraday’s Laws of Electrolysis – First Law

In order to produce one mole of metal, one two or three moles of electrons must be consumed.

Faraday found that there was a certain charge associated with one mole of electrons.

This amount of charge is now called the Faraday and is equivalent to 96 487 (96 500) Coulomb.

1 Faraday = 96 500 Coulomb

Faraday’s Laws of Electrolysis – Second Law Faraday’s Laws of Electrolysis – Second Law

In order to produce one mole of metal, one two or three moles of electrons must be consumed.

Ag+ (aq), Cu2+ (aq) and Cr3+ (aq) require 1, 2 and 3 moles of electrons for discharge.

The quantity of electricity required will be:

Amount of charge = no. of moles of metal ions x charge on an ion x 1 Faraday

Q = n z F and Q = I t

I t = n z F

Faraday’s Laws of Electrolysis – Second Law Faraday’s Laws of Electrolysis – Second Law

1. Calculate the number of mole of copper produced in an electrolytic cell if a current of 5.0 A at a voltage of 6.0 V flows through a solution of copper ions for 10 minutes.

2. Calculate the time taken to deposit 1.00 g of copper onto an object that is placed in a solution of copper nitrate, Cu(NO3)2, and has a current of 2.50 A flowing through it.

3. In an operating Hall-Héroult cell, a current of 150 000 A is used at 5.0 V. Calculate the mass of aluminium that would be produced if this cell operates continuously for 1 day.

4. The electrolysis of a solution of chromium ions using a current of 2.2 A for 25 minutes produced 0.60 g of chromium. Calculate the charge on the chromium ion.

5. Calculate the masses of metal produced when 600 Faraday of charge is used to reduce the ions of aluminium, silver and zinc.

Faraday’s Laws of Electrolysis – QuestionsFaraday’s Laws of Electrolysis – Questions

1. n (Cu) = I t / z Fn (Cu) = 5.0 x 10 x 60 / 2 x 96 500n (Cu) = 1.6 x 10-2 molThat is, 1.6 x 10-2 mole of copper would be produced

2. t = n (Cu) z F / It = (1.00 / 63.5) x 2 x 96 500 / 2.5t = 1216 secondsThat is, it takes 20 minutes 15 seconds to deposit 1.00 g of copper

3. n (Al) = I t / z F n (Al) = 150 000 x 24 x 60 x 60 / 3 x 96 500n (Al) = 44 767 molm (Al) = 44 767 x 27 = 1 208 705 gThat is, 1.2 tonne of aluminium is produced per day

Faraday’s Laws of Electrolysis – SolutionsFaraday’s Laws of Electrolysis – Solutions

4. z (Cr) = I t / n Fz (Cr) = 2.2 x 25 x 60 / (0.60 / 52) x 96 500z (Cr) = 2.96As the charge on an ion is a small integer, it must be 3+. The ion is Cr3+.

5. Q = m z F / M

As Q = 600 F, then m = 600 M / z

m (Al) = 600 x 27 / 3 = 5400 g

m (Ag) = 600 x 107.9 / 1 = 64 740 g

m (Zn) = 600 x 65.4 / 2 = 19 620 g

The same 600 F of charge would produce different masses of these metals; 5.4 kg of Al, nearly 20 kg of Zn and almost 65 kg of Ag.

Faraday’s Laws of Electrolysis – SolutionsFaraday’s Laws of Electrolysis – Solutions

Q. Australia leads the world in the per capita recycling of aluminium. Explain why the production of aluminium uses so much energy and therefore why it is so much better to recycle aluminium.

A. Aluminium is a reactive metal - it’s low on the electrochemical series. The only method of reducing Al ions is electrolytically, hence the energy costs will be quite high. Because Al is so low on the electrochemical series, most other reactions will occur more easily - any water present would be reduced in preference to Al.

From Faraday’s Second Law, no. of moles of Al is inversely related to the charge of Al. Thus more charge is required to produce Al than almost any other metal. Mass of Al produced per mole of charge depends directly on the molar mass of Al. Al has the lowest molar mass of the commonly used industrial metals.

Faraday’s Laws of Electrolysis – ApplicationFaraday’s Laws of Electrolysis – Application

electrolysis: an introduction vce chemistry unit 4: chemistry at work

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