Electrolysis of Brine: Why Does Castner-Kellner Cell Produce Na?

  • Thread starter Thread starter DeathKnight
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Brine Electrolysis
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the electrolysis of brine using a Castner-Kellner cell, specifically addressing the formation of sodium. It is noted that sodium ions are generally too stable to be reduced in aqueous solutions, even when concentrated. The experiment conducted with a 12V car battery did not yield visible sodium, leading to questions about its reactivity with water. It is clarified that sodium is not produced directly; instead, sodium amalgam is formed, which is a compound where sodium is dissolved in mercury. This amalgam can then react with water to produce sodium hydroxide, explaining the absence of visible sodium during the electrolysis process.
DeathKnight
Messages
73
Reaction score
0
Electrolysis of Brine...

Why does castner-kellner cell produces Na. I was always told that Na formed too stable an ion to be reduced when it is in aqueous solution even when the solution is concentrated. I myself have carried out this experiment by elecrolysing concentrated aq. Sodium Chloride(Brine) by using a 12V car battery. I could not see any Na formed. If it had formed, I know that it would have reacted with water but if that's the case why couldn't I notice the reaction since Na reacts violently with water?
Thanks on advance for any help...
 
Last edited:
Chemistry news on Phys.org
Not sodium is formed, but sodium amalgam, which reacts with water to produce sodium hydroxide. In amalgam sodium is dissolved in mercury so it is not in a direct contact with water.
 

Thread 'Humidity of a saturated NaCl solution with anticaking additive'

I want to test a humidity sensor with one or more saturated salt solutions. The table salt that I have on hand contains one of two anticaking agents, calcium silicate or sodium aluminosilicate. Will the presence of either of these additives (or iodine for that matter) significantly affect the equilibrium humidity? I searched and all the how-to-do-it guides did not address this question. One research paper I found reported that at 1.5% w/w calcium silicate increased the deliquescent point by...
View full post »

Similar threads

Very confused about Naunyn definition of acid and base
Replies
3
Views
2K
Potassium Chloride Electrolysis
Replies
5
Views
2K
Confusion about ion exchange water softener
Replies
10
Views
4K
Products of Concentrated Barium Chloride Electrolysis?
Replies
4
Views
3K
Does sodium ion effect electrolysis of water?
Replies
6
Views
3K
Electrolysis of NaHCO3 solution with lead electrodes
Replies
2
Views
3K
Electrodialysis with different anions
Replies
1
Views
1K
Electrolysis of brine produced white stuff.
Replies
4
Views
4K
Isolating CO2 in the electrolysis of Na2CO3 solution
Replies
7
Views
5K
Electrolysis when multiple ions present
Replies
2
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top