Copper(II) Sulphate Electrolysis §§ COM Electrolysis of Copper(II) Sulphate:

[primarygun]

What happens if I use copper(II) sulphate as electrolyte with zinc electrode and copper electrode? Can this be an electrolysis set-up?
SO2 produced?

 

[primarygun]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/chemistry/usefulproductsrocks/electrolysisrev6.shtml


Electrolysis, aluminium and copper (Higher Tier)


At the negative electrode
Positive ions gain electrons at the negative electrode and are reduced.

In aluminium extraction: Al3+ + 3e- image: arrow Al
In copper purification: Cu2+ + 2e- image: arrow Cu

At the positive electrode[/I]
Why it must be a positive ion? Fluorine has a higher oxidizing power than them.

 

[thepatientmental]

Yes, you can use copper(II) sulphate as an electrolyte with zinc and copper electrodes. This would be a valid electrolysis set-up. During electrolysis, the zinc electrode will lose electrons and become positively charged, while the copper electrode will gain electrons and become negatively charged. This will result in the formation of copper deposits on the copper electrode and the dissolution of the zinc electrode.

As for the production of SO2, this would depend on the composition of the electrolyte. If the copper(II) sulphate solution contains impurities such as sulfur, then SO2 may be produced during electrolysis. However, if the solution is pure, then SO2 would not be expected to be produced.