ELECTROLYSIS

In this chapter, you will learn to:

Differentiate between the electrolytes and non-electrolytes Understand the electrolysis of molten compounds Understand the electrolysis of aqueous solutions Analyse the voltaic cell

Definition of electrochemistry:

Branch of chemistry dealing with the interchange between chemical energy and electrical energy.
Electrolysis:

A process during which an electrolyte is decomposed by an electric current into its component elements.

Differences between electrolytes and nonelectrolytes Electrolyte A chemical substance which conducts electricity in the molten or aqueous state. Examples: dilute acids, alkalis, molten zinc bromide &sodium chloride Non-electrolyte Substance which cannot conduct electricity in any state.

Examples: benzene, alcohol, naphthalene, tetrachloromethane

Molten : a solid substance heated to melting point where its turns liquid.

Aqueous solution : A solution with water as the solvent. Contrast with: non-aqueous solution.
Electrolytes are able to conduct electricity because there are free ions presents in the molten or aqueous state.

An ionic compound in the solid state cannot conduct electricity because its ions are held together by strong ionic bonds which are not free to move about. But in the molten state, the ions can move about freely.

Electrolysis of Molten Compounds

Exercise
1. State if each of the following is an electrolyte or non-electrolyte. (a) KOH solution (b) Na2O (c) NH3 solution (d) Glucose solution (e) Ethanoic acid, CH3COOH (f) Acetone (g) Kerosene (h) Petrol

2. Which of the following substances can conduct electricty? (i) potassium chloride crystals (ii) Zinc sulphate solution (iii) Iron (iv) Molten napthalene Are all the above substances electrolytes? Explain.

Answer:
(ii) and (iii) No, only zinc sulphate solution is an electrolyte as its ions can move about freely and decomposition occurs at the electrodes. Iron conducts electrolyte but cannot decompose as it is made up of atoms and not ions. KCl is in the form of solid. Its ion are held tightly by ionic bonds and cannot move freely. Molten napthalene is in the form of molecules.

6.2 Electrolysis for Molten Compounds

An electrolyte in the form of molten compounds or aqueous solution can be broken down into its elements. Examples:
Molten aluminium oxide(I)
Copper(II) chloride solution(aq)

Aluminium(s) + Oxygen(g)
Copper(s) + Chlorine(g)

Electrolysis

an electric current into its component elements.

- process during which an electrolyte is decomposed by

Ability to conduct electricity

Solid state -ions are not free to move because there are arranged in a fixed crystal lattice. -thus, cannot conduct electricity (no free ions to move and carry electrical charges).

Molten form or -ions move freely to carry aqueous solution electrical charges. -thus can conduct electricity

Electrolytic cell and its component

During electrolysis: * Anion(-ve ions) will be pulled towards the anode(+ve electrode). * Cation(+ve ions) will be pulled towards the cathode(-ve electrode) Anode Anion will released electrons to the anode

Cathode Cations will accept electrons from cathode

Method of writing balanced half equations(ion electron equation)

6.3 Electrolysis of aqueous solutions In aqueous solutions, the presence of water results in 2 types of cations(metallic cation & hydrogen ion) & 2 types of anions (nonmetallic anion of salt & hydroxide ion).

This is because water in aqueous solution dissociate to form H+ and OH- ions.

Factors Which Influence The Discharge of Ions

The factors affecting the selective discharge of ions at the electrodes are:

(a) position of ions in electrochemical series (b) concentration of ions in the solution (c) types of electrode

(a) Positions of Ions in The Electrochemical Series

*The chart lists the ions in order of difficulty of discharge. *The lower the ion in the ES, the easier it is to be discharged

Eg: Electrolysis of Lead(II) Nitrate,

Anode
and ions. is selected for discharged (lower in ES)

Cathode
and ions. is selected for discharged (lower in ES)

Anode: Oxygen gas is released Cathode: hydrogen gas is released

(b) Types of Electrode Used In Electrolytes

Most common electrode: Carbon & Platinum Eg: electrolysis of dilute sodium chloride using carbon electrodes Anode ion present: , Cathode Ion present: ,

But if, mercury is used as the cathode, different reaction occurs at cathode. Sodium immediately forms an amalgam with mercury

(c) Concentrations of ions in a solution

An ion will be selected for discharge if its concentration in the aqueous solution is high. Especially noticeable in concentrated halide solutions containing

6.4 Electrolysis In Industries

Chemical cells

Purification

Importance Application of electrolysis

Extraction

Electroplating of metals

(a) Extraction of metals

Aluminium is extracted by electrolysis of a mixture of bauxite( )with cryollite( ) (b) Metal Purification Copper is often obtained by refining metal ores and scrap copper. The anode is the impure metal and the cathode is a small amount of pure metal.

(c) Electroplating The cathode is the item to be plated and the anode is the metal to be used as the plating. During electrolysis, the metal form the anode will dissolve and travel to the cathode, where the ions will plate. (d) Chemical cells Consists of 2 metals of different types immersed in an electrolyte. The metals are connected by an external wire to complete the circuit. This result is an electric current across the wire which supply power to light bulbs.

6.5 Voltaic cells

Characteristics Funct: Electrolytic cell Use DC to produce a non spontaneous chemical charge Consits of 2 electrodes immersed in an electrolyte which connected to a battery Voltaic cell Use spontaneous change to produec a direct electric current

Structure: