There is very little oxygen liberated, and there seems to be CO2 produced which immediately dissolves.johnbbahm said: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?
Water electrolysis with carbon cathode is a process that uses an electric current to split water into its component elements, hydrogen and oxygen. The carbon cathode serves as the negative electrode in this process, attracting positively charged hydrogen ions and facilitating the reaction.
The carbon cathode works by providing a surface for the positively charged hydrogen ions to attach to. This allows the electrons from the electric current to be transferred to the hydrogen ions, causing them to release as hydrogen gas. The carbon also helps to reduce the energy required for the reaction to occur.
Carbon cathodes have several advantages in water electrolysis, including their low cost, availability, and stability. They also have a high surface area, which increases the efficiency of the reaction. Additionally, carbon is a good conductor of electricity, making it a suitable material for this process.
While carbon cathodes have many advantages, they also have some limitations. One of the main limitations is that they are prone to corrosion in the highly acidic or alkaline environments typically used in water electrolysis. This can affect the longevity and effectiveness of the cathode in the process.
Water electrolysis with carbon cathode is used in various real-world applications, including hydrogen production for fuel cells, chemical synthesis, and wastewater treatment. It is also being explored as a means of storing excess renewable energy in the form of hydrogen gas, which can then be used as a clean fuel source.