UNIT-6
Electrochemistry Note
IIP_INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
Department of Science
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Glossary
1. Ion = charged particles formed when atoms (or groups of atoms) lose or gain electrons
2. Cation = positive ion
3. Anion = negative ion
4. Electrodes = rods that carry/transfer the current to and from the electrolyte
5. Anode = positive electrode which is connected to the positive terminal of a battery
6. Cathode = negative electrode which is connected to the negative terminal of a battery
7. Electrolytic cell = a cell consisting of an electrolyte and two electrodes connected to an
external DC power source
8. Dilute solution = solution which contains more amount of water/ solvent
9. Concentrated solution = solution which contains no or little amount of water/ solvent
10. Refining = a method of removing impurities in order to obtain metals of high purity
Definition
➢ Electrolysis
-the breakdown of an ionic compound in molten or aqueous state by the passage of electricity
➢ Electrolyte
-liquid that conduct electricity by the movement of ions and that breakdowns during electrolysis
➢ Electroplating
-a process that uses electrolysis in which a metal is coated with a layer of another metal
➢ Oxidation
-loss of electrons
➢ Reduction
-gain of electrons
➢ Redox reaction
-reaction in which both oxidation and reduction occur simultaneously
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Introduction to electrochemistry
-Substances can conduct electricity due to the present of charged particles*(must be free to move).
-charged particles = electrons or ions
Conductors and Insulators
-conductors = substance that conducts electricity without being chemically changed
e.g. Metals, graphite(non-metal)
*conductors can conduct due to the presence of free electrons which can flow through the structure*
-insulators = substance that does not conduct electricity
e.g. Rubbers, plastics, woods, air, non-metals
Electrolytes and non-electrolytes
Electrolytes - ionic compounds in molten or aqueous state, acids and ammonia solution can conduct
electricity
*electrolytes can conduct electricity due to the presence of mobile ions*
Non-electrolytes – liquids or solutions that do not conduct electricity
Electrodes
2 types of electrodes – inert and active
Inert electrodes = platinum or graphite which does not take part in the reaction
Active electrodes = metals which take part in the chemical reaction during electrolysis
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Function of a battery
Fig.6.1
Electrolysis
-the breakdown of an ionic compound in molten or aqueous state by the passage of electricity
Fig.6.2
Flow of electrons – from anode to cathode
In the external circuit – from the anode to the positive terminal of the battery and from the negative
terminal of the battery to the cathode
Movement of ions
In the electrolytes – positive ions towards cathode and negative ions towards anode
Cathode reaction
Positive ions are discharged at the cathode and gained electrons, reduction takes place.
e.g. Na+ + e- Na
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Anode reaction
Negative ions are discharged at the anode and lose electrons, oxidation takes place.
e.g. 2Cl- Cl2 + 2e-
At the cathode – H+ ions will be discharged and hydrogen gas will be formed.
If metals less reactive than hydrogen present, it will be discharged instead of H+.
Na+ Mg+ Al3+ Zn2+ H+ Cu2+ Ag+
Easier to be discharged
At the anode – halogen ions with high concentration will be discharged.
If no halogen ions or halide solution is too dilute, then OH- ions will be discharged.
SO42- NO3- OH- Cl- Br- I-
Easier to be discharged
❖ Electrolysis of molten compounds
Fig.6.3 Electrolysis of molten lead II bromide using graphite electrodes
Heat must be supplied to keep the salt molten.
During electrolysis, the electrical energy from the cell has caused the chemical change
(decomposition).
Electrolyte = molten lead II bromide
Electrodes = graphite(inert)
Ions present = Pb2+, Br ⁻
Movement of ions – Pb2+ moves towards cathode and Br - moves towards anode
Cathode reaction
Pb2+ + 2e- Pb
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Anode reaction
2Br - Br2 + 2e-
Observations
• Bubbles of brown gas are given off (anode)
• Grey or metallic lead beads underneath the cathode
Safety precautions
• Must be carried out in fume cupboard (*all halogens are poisonous)
• Wear protective gears like goggles, gloves and lab coat
❖ Electrolysis of aqueous solutions
Fig.6.4 electrolysis of aqueous concentrated sodium chloride solution
Electrolyte = concentrated sodium chloride (brine)
Electrodes = graphite (inert)
Ions present = Na+, Cl-, H+, OH-
Movement of ions - Na+ and H+ go to cathode, Cl- and OH- go to anode
Cathode reaction
H+ ions discharged instead of Na+ ions because they are less reactive and easier to add an
electron.
2H+ + 2e- H2
Anode reaction
Cl- ions are discharged because they are present in higher concentration than OH- ions.
2Cl- Cl2 + 2e-
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Observation
• Bubbles of green gas(Cl2) are produced at the anode
• Bubbles of colourless gas(H2) are produced at the cathode
Safety precautions
• Must be carried out in fume cupboard (*chlorine is poisonous)
• Wear protective gears like goggles, gloves and lab coat
Fig.6.5 Electrolysis of dilute sulfuric acid using platinum electrodes
Electrolyte = dilute sulfuric acid
Electrodes = platinum (inert)
Ions present = H+, SO42-, OH-
Movement of ions – H+ ions go to cathode and SO42-, OH- ions go to
anode
Cathode reaction
2H+ + 2e- H2
Anode reaction
4OH- 2H2O + O2 + 4e-
Observation
• Bubbles of colourless gases are produced at both electrodes
• Volumes ratio of H2 and O2 is 2:1.(twice as much hydrogen is produced as oxygen)
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Fig.6.6 electrolysis of copper II sulfate solution Fig.6.7 electrolysis of copper II sulfate solution
using inert electrodes using copper electrodes
Electrolyte aqueous copper II sulfate solution aqueous copper II sulfate solution
Electrodes graphite(inert) copper(active)
Ions present Cu2+, H+, SO42-, OH- Cu2+, H+, SO42-, OH-
Cu2+ + 2e- Cu Cu2+ + 2e- Cu
Cathode
copper deposited copper deposited
mass of cathode increases mass of cathode increases
4OH- 2H2O + O2 + 4e- Cu Cu2+ + 2e-
Anode
oxygen gas produced copper dissolves
no change in mass of anode mass of anode decreases
Mass of cathode increases Mass of cathode increases
observation Colour of electrolyte solution fades/ Mass of anode decreases
becomes colourless Colour of electrolyte solution remains
the same
➢ Note
• Electrolytic reaction is a redox reaction (An Ox Red Cat)
• Oxidation occurs at the anode
• Reduction occurs at the cathode
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❖ Some applications of electrolysis
1. Electroplating -a process that uses electrolysis in which a metal is coated with a layer of
another metal
Cathode = object to be electroplated
Anode = plating metal
Electrolyte = a solution of an ionic compound of a plating metal
Reasons for electroplating = better appearance and protection from corrosion
Fig.6.8 silver plating of old nickel spoon
Cathode = nickel spoon
Anode = silver rod
Electrolyte = aqueous silver cyanide solution
Ions present = Ag+, CN-, H+, OH-
Cathode reaction
Ag+ + e- Ag
Anode reaction
Ag Ag+ + e-
Observation
• Mass of cathode increases
• Mass of anode decreases
2. Extracting metals
Metals can be extracted by using electrolysis.
Advantage – can be obtained purer metals than other methods like reduction with carbon
Disadvantage – needs an enormous amount of energy (expensive)
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3. Refining metals - removing impurities in order to obtain metals of high purity
Fig.6.9 Refining copper using electrolysis
Cathode = pure metal
Anode = impure metal (object to be purified)
Electrolyte = a solution of an ionic compound containing purifying metal
❖ Hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell
Electrolytic cell – chemical reaction(decomposition) due to passing electric current
(endothermic)
Electrochemical cell(battery) – produces electric current due to chemical reaction
(exothermic)
Overall equation
2H2 + O2 2H2O (l)
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➢ Hydrogen fuel cells over other fuel vehicles
• Zeron emission of CO2
• More efficient
• Hydrogen can produce more energy per gram than any other fuels
• Renewable (if solar or wind energy is used in production)
• No need for recharging
➢ Disadvantages
• Hydrogen is difficult to produce, store and transport
• Large fuel tank required
• Currently expensive
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