Water electrolysis with carbon cathode.

[johnbbahm]

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?

 

[tech99]

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?

There is very little oxygen liberated, and there seems to be CO2 produced which immediately dissolves.

 

[johnbbahm]

I was talking about the hydrogen side, the hydrogen is forming on the carbon cathode.
I am thinking some of hydrogen will form bonds with the carbon, to make methane, or perhaps
a broader spectrum of hydrocarbons.