Electrolysis of molten carbonates and sulfates

[sgstudent]

sodium and potassium carbonate and sulfate are the only ones in their respective anions group that can melt. However, both carbonate CO3 2- and sulfate SO4 2- cannot be discharged. Then, if i want to get pure sodium from sodium carbonate or sulfate how will i attain them? Do i have to increase the electrical energy to a large amount to allow the reaction to occur? then what if i have a small current only, will the circuit be able to conduct electricity and will the polyatomic ions get discharged?

if i cannot my pure metal this way, then what should i do to get them? thanks for the help!

 

[jbsteele]

The simplest way to obtain pure sodium from sodium carbonate or sulfate is to use an electrolysis process. In this process, electricity is passed through the solution, causing the sodium ions to be discharged at the cathode and the carbonate and sulfate ions to be discharged at the anode. This process produces pure sodium metal at the cathode, and carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide at the anode. If you have a small current only, then the electrolysis process will still work, but it may take longer to obtain the desired amount of sodium.