Electrolysing Sodium Chloride: Silver vs Graphite

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the electrolysis of hot sodium chloride solutions using various electrode materials, specifically comparing silver and graphite. It is established that using copper electrodes can lead to the formation of copper chloride, while graphite electrodes are preferred for cold solutions to produce sodium chlorate. The conversation highlights that silver, although more inert than copper, can oxidize to silver chloride (AgCl) in chloride solutions. The safety of using graphite electrodes is confirmed, as they do not ignite easily even at high temperatures.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electrolysis principles
  • Knowledge of electrode materials and their reactivity
  • Familiarity with sodium chloride solutions and their properties
  • Basic chemistry of oxidation and reduction reactions
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the properties and applications of graphite electrodes in electrolysis
  • Study the electrochemical behavior of silver in chloride solutions
  • Explore the production and uses of sodium chlorate
  • Investigate the safety protocols for high-temperature electrolysis
USEFUL FOR

Chemistry enthusiasts, electrochemists, and anyone involved in experimental electrolysis or material science will benefit from this discussion.

Fezziwig
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If I was to electrolyse a hot sodium chloride solution I'm pretty sure a copper electrode would react to make copper chloride. Whereas I would have used graphite electrodes if the solution was cold, this reaction should produce sodium chlorate which can obviously be quite reactive with organic compounds. The only other thing I have in the house is some spare silver. It's no platinum but it is more inert than copper. Would silver or graphite be safe, or should I only attempt this with platinum?
 
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Silver is not that noble, especially in the chlorides solution it can be relatively easy oxidized to AgCl.
 
What are you actually trying to do here?

Neither the oxygen gas nor sodium chlorate in aqueous solution, even at 100 degrees, should start a fire with your graphite electrode. Graphite requires very high temperatures to ignite.
 

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