Electrolysis

Exp.3

MAHMOUD MOHAMED ABDEL MONIEM

ID: 128697
Abstract

The aim of this experiment is to prepare electrolytic cells, study its observations during the
chemical reaction or process and understanding the electrochemical properties of electrolyte
cells. The experiment is achieved by having a solution of 1M NaCl with universal indicator in a
Hofmann Voltmeter and connecting it as an electrolysis circuit and as soon as the ammeter starts
giving values, bubbles evolves from the anode side which are composed Cl2 gases. Furthermore,
the cathode side turns dark blue or purple while the anode side turns colorless or bleached. The
result is at the cathode Cl- is oxidized to Cl2 and at the cathode H2O is reduced to OH and H2 gas.

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Table of Contents
Abstract ......................................................................................................................................................... 0
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 3
Difference between Galvanic cells & Electrolytic cells .............................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Experimental Results .................................................................................................................................... 6
Discussion...................................................................................................................................................... 6
References ..................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

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Introduction

Electrolytic cells uses electric current to produce a chemical reaction. It is used to operate an
oxidation-reduction reaction in a non-sponteous way. Electrolysis are similar to galvanic cells, in
which they both have two half cells one will be a reduction half-cell and the other is an oxidation
half-cell. Oxidation occurs at the anode side and reduction occurs at the cathode side. The
difference between them is the direction of the flow in electrolytic cells, so the sign of the cell
potential will be reversed. For example if E○ of a given galvanic cell is 1.34 V then E○ of the
electrolytic cell will be -1.34 V. (Boundless, 2016)

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The electrolysis of aqueous NaCl

Figure 1 Electrolysis experiment NaCl

In the Figure given the Na+ ions moves toward the negative electrode and so the Cl- ions moves
to the positive electrode. Nevertheless, two substances can be reduced at the cathode side
which are the Na+ ions and H2O molecules. The redox reactions equations depicts what
happens during the reaction.

Cathode (-ve):-

Na+ + e-  Na E○= -2.71 V

2H2O + 2e-  H2 + 2OH- E○= -0.83 V

Water is reduced to and products evolved are hydrogen gas and hydroxide

Anode (+ve):-

2Cl-  Cl2 + 2e- E○= -1.36 V

2H2O  O2 +4H+ +4e- E○= -1.23 V

Here in the anode side Cl is oxidized to Cl2.

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In the point of view in chemical industries, the demand for chlorine is much larger than sodium,
so the electrolysis of aqueous NaCl is an important process commercially. The advantage of this
electrolysis is that it produces H2 gas at the cathode side which are collected and sold while
NaOH is also sold. (Bodner, 2012)

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Experimental Results

The electrode Color Change The bubble Reason

formation
Cathode Dark purple or blue Bubble formed, H2 At the cathode side reduction occurs
gas is evolved and
Na+ is reduced to Na
OH ions
And water is reduced to produce
H2 gas and OH
 Na+ + e-  Na
 2H2O + 2e-  H2 + 2OH
Anode Colorless or bleached First bubble At the anode side oxidation occurs
formation, Cl2 gas is Where Cl- oxidizes and Cl2 gas is
evolved and produced.
chlorine odor is  2Cl-  Cl2 + 2e-
observed.
 2H2O  O2 +4H+ +4e-

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Discussion

To conclude this experiment discusses about electrolytic cells, its observations during the
chemical reaction or process and knowing its electrochemical properties. The experiment is done
by the Electrolysis of aqueous sodium chloride. At the anode side, Cl- is oxidized to chlorine and
therefore evolving Cl2 gas during the process and after some time turns colorless or bleached.

2Cl-  Cl2 + 2e- (Oxidation)

.At the cathode, water is reduced to OH and H 2 gas is evolved and due to the indicator in the solution it
turns to dark blue or purple color.

Na+ + e-  Na (Reduction)

2H2O + 2e-  H2 + 2OH

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References
Bodner. (2012). Bodner research web. Retrieved from
http://chemed.chem.purdue.edu/genchem/topicreview/bp/ch20/faraday.php

Boundless. (2016, 9 20). Boundless.com. Retrieved from

https://www.boundless.com/chemistry/textbooks/boundless-chemistry-
textbook/electrochemistry-18/electrolysis-132/electrolysis-of-sodium-chloride-529-3650/