What is Electrolysis: Definition and 222 Discussions

In chemistry and manufacturing, electrolysis is a technique that uses direct electric current (DC) to drive an otherwise non-spontaneous chemical reaction. Electrolysis is commercially important as a stage in the separation of elements from naturally occurring sources such as ores using an electrolytic cell. The voltage that is needed for electrolysis to occur is called the decomposition potential. The word "lysis" means to separate or break, so in terms, electrolysis would mean either "breakdown of electricity" or "breakdown via electricity".

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  1. A

    Electrolysis: Dark blue oxide from steel?

    Hi there, I have been trying to make iron oxide through electrolysis, I am using salt water as the electrolyte and an old alloyed steel (I am assuming iron and carbon) square pipe as the anode and a Rebar cathode. Unfortunately the beaker gets filled with this dark bluey color and when...
  2. Cavidex

    Chemical/Paint Building an electrolysis cell for a HHO torch

    I'm a young student and I'm building an electrolysis cell for a HHO torch. I want to limit the current used by the cell so that it doesn't break my bridge rectifier by drawing too much current. I want to know how big do my electrodes need to be to draw around 140A. For the anode I'm going to use...
  3. Asontg

    Potassium Chloride Electrolysis

    Hi everyone, I'm new on this forum, I make potassium soap but there were changes in the regulations in my country (Argentina) and now there's a lot of slow bureaucracy needed to buy chemicals like KOH (the regulations are industry-focused but are affecting small businesses like mine) so...
  4. A

    Does water electrolysis work efficiently under high pressure?

    One of the stages in hydrogen production after electrolysis is to run the hydrogen through a compressor and that can take a lot of energy. Would it be possible to run an electrolysis setup inside an already high pressure hydrogen tank so that the hydrogen being separated during the electrolysis...
  5. M

    Electrolysis of Na2SO4 on Submerged Aluminum

    Will Na2SO4 (Sodium sulfate), when used as an Electrolyte in Water, EAT away at submerged Aluminum components, when performing Electrolysis ?
  6. moriah

    Can I Use a 6V Battery for Electrolysis?

    I’m assuming 6V is a suitable battery for such process. The terminals on this type of battery are different from what I’ve seen on other types. The positive terminal is “capped” with black plastic. With this cap intact, would I be able to generate electrolysis?
  7. BenDover

    Copper sulfate electrolysis

    What happens at the point all the copper moves out of solution and onto electrode during electrolysis of copper sulfate? Responding with anything other than an answer with an explanation is not wanted. Just an fyi, i learn by people showing me the answer and explaining why they think the...
  8. Shan43

    B What is the difference between N = Q/nF and m = Z*I*t in electrolysis?

    N is equal to the number of moles of the electrolyzed species (in this case I am trying to find the amount of hydrogen produced) , Q is charge, n is stoichiometric number of electrons consumed in the electrode reaction (please explain what this means, and F is the Faraday constant. For the...
  9. E

    Theoretical reaction rate for water electrolysis

    So I'm designing a proces where carbondioxide is converted into methane using the Sabatier reaction. For this reaction hydrogen is required which I'm planning on producing using the electrolysis of water. But I'm having a problem where I need the speed of this reaction to determine the size of...
  10. S

    Is electrolyte chemical consumed during alkaline water electrolysis?

    In alkaline water electrolysis you add Potassium hydroxide, or Sodium hydroxide to the water you want to turn into hydrogen and oksygen. But is the Potassium hydroxide, or Sodium hydroxide consumed during electrolysis and needs to be replaced? Or do you just have to keep adding water as it is...
  11. A

    Powerline electrolysis hydrogen production

    Hydrogen production consumes a lot of energy because one is running current through water in order to produce hydrogen. Why can't we use current that already runs in powerlines for example like HVDC and create a series electrolysis apparatus. Water electrolysis needs a minimum voltage...
  12. J

    Separating H2 from O2 after electrolysis

    During typical electrolysis, I understand that the Hydrogen and Oxygen can be separated by isolating the positive and negative plates of the system into separate chambers to capture the gas. But in the case of electrolyzers that create a combined gas output (HHO/hydroxy gas/browns gas, etc.) The...
  13. Cheesycheese213

    Electrolysis of Water -- Rate of Reaction?

    I'm so sorry if this is a bad question! I am doing an experiment measuring the rate of gas production (hydrogen) of the electrolysis of water, and I got myself a bit confused about whether I have been taking the correct measurements? I had originally thought that, since the "concentration" of...
  14. I

    Chemistry Electrolysis Problem -- Half reactions and gasses produced

    The solution for a) is 2H2O+2e- → H2 +2OH-, and the solution for b) is O2, because the half reaction at the anode is 2H2O→O2 +4H+ + 4e-. I don't understand why the electrolysis does not involve Na2SO4 being reduced or oxidized, and only considers water. Thanks.
  15. Cheesycheese213

    Concentration of electrolyte for the electrolysis of water?

    I'm doing an experiment with the electrolysis of water, and I'm hoping to vary the electrolyte concentration (Epsom salt/MgSO4) to see changes in the rate of gas production. I was planning to just do intervals from no salt to maximum solubility, but was wondering whether there might be any...
  16. J

    Removing green copper oxides with Electrolysis, chemicals, etc.

    I soaked the following school medallion in water with salt for 20 plus years in the attic and at that time I didn't know copper could corrode and make green oxides. I also didn't think about it much and just forgot about it. I brought it down just today. I read just a while ago that hot...
  17. uzi kiko

    Electrolysis using a single electrode

    Hello Inspired by this video, I wondered if it was possible to create a process of electrolysis in saltwater using a single electrode. To my understanding (Please see the attached diagram), if a direct current passes through I2 (after the diode) a direct current must also pass through I1...
  18. E

    Electrolysis of Water: How Does the Electric Field Affect Covalent Bonds?

    What does break bounds in CuSO4? Is it just charge of the electrons in the left electrode? And why does the right electrode getting a positive charge?
  19. HelloCthulhu

    Chemistry Amount of water electrolyzed during PEM electrolysis

    I've been doing a little independent research into PEM fuel cells and came across this Horizon mim fuel cell. I read the following specs, but didn't see anything about the volume of water being electrolyzed...
  20. M

    Electromagnetics question - magnetic field and electrolysis

    Hi everyone, I am most likely the least scientifically minded person to ever have visited these forums! I'm here with a question that I hope someone more scientifically minded can answer for me. If a pair of plastic coated axial neodymium magnets are installed either side of a sheet of alloy...
  21. Miles123K

    Products of Concentrated Barium Chloride Electrolysis?

    I did an electrolysis experiment with 1.6M Barium Chloride solution and the electrolyte turned black after the electrolysis. I am fairly positive that Chlorine was produced at the anode from the smell. However, Ba(OH)2 is colorless. I used graphite electrodes for this experiment. Does anyone...
  22. cafuffu

    Isolating CO2 in the electrolysis of Na2CO3 solution

    Hi all! This is my first question, i hope it does make sense :) I'm trying to find a way to isolate CO2 gas when doing electrolysis of a water solution with Na2CO3. I understand that i can do that with two half cells connected by a salt bridge, and i will get NaOH plus H2 gas in the cathode...
  23. T

    Why is this water turning black during electrolysis?

    Good day, I am here because I have begun a new hobby and it is my hope to better understand what it is I am doing and seeing. Luckily I have the mental capacity to process much of what I read, but sadly I am vastly under-educated. My new project involves electrolysis and for reasons I don't...
  24. somasimple

    Electrolysis and drift currents

    Hi, If there is an electrolysic in a vat, there is a positive and negative drift current betwwen the electrodes. Is it possible to have a situation where there is only one (either positive or negative) drift current? Thanks
  25. callie123

    Writing: Input Wanted Electrified Water: Feasibility and Applications

    I'm working on a Scifi novel, and trying to make it somewhat...scientific! Any advice is appreciated. Here's my question: I'd like to write about a situation where a body of water is purposefully kept under electric charge for years on end. This body of water would vary in size and depth, but...
  26. J

    Can liquid ammonia NH3 be electrolyzed?

    Can liquid ammonia NH3 be electolyzed to produce H2 and N2? I have heard of ammonia cracking using high temperature and a catalyst but I was wondering if electrolysis would be an easier way to produce hydrogen from ammonia. The H2 could be fed into a PEM fuel cell to produce electricity to run...
  27. L

    Electrolysis of NaHCO3 solution with lead electrodes

    Hey. If i carry out electrolysis of saturated sodium bicarbonate solution with lead electrodes, will the lead electrodes will dissolve to form lead carbonate (or basic lead carbonate if temperature is higher) or the lead ions will migrate from anode to cathode and deposite there? I think that...
  28. L

    What resources can I find on PF to enhance my understanding of science?

    Hey i am currently doing my bachelor's degree in Science. I have a biology background but i am very much into chemistry, specially organic chemistry and conceptual physics. I hope all the great people here will help me with my queries and i would also be so nice if I could be of help to anyone.
  29. Krushnaraj Pandya

    Electrolysis of sodium sulphate

    Homework Statement I want to know what happens at the anode and why it happens during the electrolysis of sodium sulphate. 2. The attempt at a solution Na+ and H+ move towards cathode, H+ is discharged due to Electrode potential values. What happens to the SO42- ions and how is O2 produced at...
  30. B

    Unknown Electrolysis(?) reaction occurring

    I have obtained an experimental setup of a Marx bank which has electrolytic liquid resistors. In the tubing of the resistors are various strength solutions of copper sulfate. I was told that the electrodes are copper but there appears to be some sort of plating or other reaction occurring...
  31. P

    Electrolysis to reduce water's saltiness?

    Hi I wonder if we can reduce the quantity of salt (mostly Cl- and Ca2+) from water by electrolysis and still be safe to drink. I know that with inert electrods (not sure which ones although) Cl- would be trun into Cl2(g) and I'm concerned by its toxicity even though it's going in the air. But...
  32. M

    Use Rustum Roy's electrolysis method on other molecules?

    In reading the posts re:Rustum Roy and electrolysis on salt I wondered if that method would work on other molecules? Not thinking about energy in and out, just how that or other means to separate a molecule's atoms could solve some problems such as pollution? Also, use of the term 'burn'...
  33. R

    Is a gold electrode supposed to corrode during electrolysis?

    Help! I was under the assumption that a gold electrode for oxygen would be able to sustain water electrolysis with sodium bicarbonate as the electrolyte without degrading, so I bought a foot long of 28 gauge 24k(pure gold) wire, but I've been putting it to the test for about 30 minutes and it's...
  34. hackhard

    Conductivity of an electrolyte

    I know that electric conductivity of metallic conductors increases with decrease in its absolute temperature(kelvin) . But is it the same for electrolytes such as water. Is cold water a better or worse conductor of electricity than warm water at same pressure and concentration.
  35. C

    Volume of Gasses Obtained by Electrolysis of Salt Solution

    Hello everybody!How can I calculate the volume of gasses produced by electrolysis of an aqueous solution of NaNO3 if the mass fraction of the salt changed from 40% to 60% (before electrolysis the mass fraction of the salt was 40% and after electrolysis it changed to 60%)? Pressure and...
  36. M

    Can you make an electrophoresis battery?

    Can you immerse an electrolyte in an external electric field such that the ions are separated to a point that you could introduce electrodes and produce current in a load solely by virtue of the established charge distribution without electrode chemical interaction or galvanic potential as shown...
  37. V

    Can I Use Electroforming with Copper to Etch PCBs Safely and Cheaply?

    I am undertaking a personal project that requires me to etch some circuit boards. This needs to be done on the cheap and in this instance it is not feasible to send to a PCB company. I am a bit put off by the nasty chemicals and the need for correct disposal. I know you can use Vinegar and...
  38. Jamison Bond

    HHO Easy Recombination to get electricity

    I was just wondering if there is an easy way to recombine hydrogen in a fuel cell style but effectively by doing electrolysis in reverse. Splitting is really easy but is there a way to get the HHO to recombine into water and release electricity effectively by reverse electrolysis? I get that...
  39. Ali Durrani

    What amount of amperage do i need for electrolysis of water?

    ok i want to make 1g/sec of hydrogen out of an unlimited supply of water, i know the electrolysis won't start below 1.48 volts, let suppose i am supplying 2 volts of DC current, i need to find out the total wattage for electrolysis, for this i need the amount of current required to produce 1...
  40. ExplosiveMercury

    Hydrochloric acid with electrolysis?

    How can I collect chlorine gas produced by electrolysis and mix it with water to create hydrochloric acid (HCl)? I've tried it several times but the concentration of gas is so low it doesn't even bubble the water in the test tube.
  41. F

    A question regarding electrolysis

    Why does a different reaction occur at anode when electrode isn't inert and has the same metal ion as present in electrolyte? What will happen if the electrode isn't inert but is formed of a metal which is different than one present in electrolyte? For example, we know that in electrolysis of...
  42. S

    How does electrolysis affect salts in solution?

    Not sure if this is the best sub category to ask... I've successfully raised Dissolved Oxygen (DO) in a hydroponic nutrient solution via electrolysis using this device here... http://www.o2grow.com/ My question is, assuming starting with pure RO or distilled water, that has only had nutrient...
  43. S

    Can Electrolysis Revolutionize Wastewater Treatment and Energy Reclamation?

    I'm curious why we don't have more wastewater treatment plants using electrolysis to purify wastewater & could we not reclaim much of the energy lost by some creative engineering, i.e Fuel cells to recombine and running the reactor at depth in a deep wastewater tank?
  44. T

    Identity of metal from electrolysis

    Homework Statement A solution of a trivalent metal ion is electrolysed by a current of 5.0A for 10 minutes during which time 1.18g of metal was plated out. The identity of the metal is: A cobalt B chromium C indium D gallium E bismuth Relative atomic masses: 1 faraday = 96,486 coulombs...
  45. Narayanan KR

    Electrolysis using Displacement current?

    The figure shows two insulated metal electrodes kept in pure water with a small gap between them. When sufficiently large voltage pulses applied between electrodes, there is a flow of displacement current through the insulators and water, but will this split the water molecules because of the...
  46. J

    Product at anode of the electrolysis of MgBr2

    1. Homework Statement Why is the product at anode Br2 for MgBr2? Instead of O2? Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution [/B] The EΘ value for the oxidation of OH- is -0.40 V, And that of Br- is -1.07V And so, shouldn't oxidation of OH- be easier? And hence, O2 is formed at the anode?
  47. J

    Water electrolysis with carbon cathode.

    I was wondering if I breakdown water with a carbon electrodes, will some methane be formed as well as hydrogen? In addition if methane is formed could other hydrocarbon chains also occur?
  48. K

    How to conduct electricity through water without electrodes?

    More specifically, how to conduct electricity through water without submerging electrodes into water? I can't think of other way except using high voltage to arc across air into water, but this method only work for high voltage. Any ideas? Thanks
  49. C

    Electrolysis calcul with faraday

    Hello felow's my boy of 15 years old asked a question about an exercice at college, he asked me how much electricity it would take to generate electrolysis on a sea surface of 100 feet wide and half a mile long. I told him (jocking) you may use some kind of nuclear facilities I thought...
  50. Narayanan KR

    Half Electrolysis: Battery & Choke Coil Setup

    CONSTRUCTION: -In the following figure a metal plate is immersed in a Trough of salt water, the wire hooked to plate is attached to a choke coil and the other end of choke coil is Grounded deep inside soil. -A...
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