Electrolyte that doesn't react with ZnO for electrolysis of water

[kevin_tee]

Does anybody know electrolyte that doesn't react with ZnO for electrolysis of water? NaOH and KOH is good electrolyte for electrolysis of water, but it react with ZnO. Thanks.

 

[Borek]

Sodium sulfate?

 

[kevin_tee]

Thanks, I will try using sodium sulfate but are there any more possible electrolytes?

 

[Borek]

You need something that is neutral, as ZnO is amphoteric. Most salts of strong acids and strong bases will be neutral in solutions (or close to neutral) - but you need a stable anion, that would not get oxidized, which means of the obvious ones chlorides are out of the question. Sulfates of sodium, lithium, potassium sound best to me, perhaps perchlorates would be good as well - but definitely more expensive..