Faculty of Chemical Engineering

CHE142

Inorganic & physical

chemistry
Chapter 2: Redox & Electrochemistry
Lecture 3 : Electrolytic Cell

Electrolytic Cell

Spontaneous!!!

NOT
Spontaneous!!!

 Cengage Learning 2006

 Instead of the reactions that would occur spontaneously at

the electrodes, the external power supply causes the
reverse reactions to occur.
Thus, for reduction, electrons are forced to the cathode in
an electrolytic reaction.
The cathode is still the site of reduction, but in electrolysis, it is
negatively charged because the external power supply forces
electrons (and their negative charges) into the location of the
reduction reaction.

Anode is still the site of oxidation, but in electrolysis, it is

positively charged.
In forcing oxidation of the material, the external power supply
pulls the electrons away from the region of the oxidation
reaction.

Electrolytic Cell
In a voltaic cell, electrons are generated at the anode, so it
is negative, and electrons are consumed at the cathode, so
it is positive.
In an electrolytic cell, the electrons come from the external
power source, which supplies them to the cathode, so it is
negative, and removes them from the anode, so it is
positive.

 Cengage Learning 2006

 The redox process which happens in an electrolytic

cell is known as electrolysis.
Electrolysis is the process of passing an electric
current through an ionic solution or molten salt to
produce a chemical reaction.
Electrolytic cells can be divided into two categories
based on the nature of the electrodes used.
If the electrodes are chemically inert (unreactive) materials
that simply provide a path for electrons, the process is called
passive electrolysis. Examples of passive electrodes: carbon,
graphite, platinum.
If the electrodes are part of the electrolytic reaction, we have
active electrolysis.

The electrolysis of molten sodium chloride (NaCl) .

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The Downs Cell

Industrial method electrolytic cell of molten NaCl electrolysis

The iron screen prevent Na to spontaneously react with Cl2
Most practical, highly effective method of obtaining metallic Na, but operating cost
is very high (construction cost, electricity cost, heating cost)
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The electrolysis of aqueous sodium chloride (NaCl) .

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http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu

 Cengage Learning 2006

FARADAYS LAW OF
ELECTROLYSIS

Faradays Law of Electrolysis

A quantitative unit of electricity is called the faraday.
A smaller electrical unit commonly used is the coulomb (C).
One coulomb is defined as the amount of charge that passes a
given point when 1 ampere (A) of electric current flows for 1
second.

FARADAYS LAW OF
ELECTROLYSIS
Problems based on Faraday's law often ask you to calculate
current, mass of material, or time.

 Cengage Learning 2006

FARADAYS LAW OF ELECTROLYSIS

Example:
How long does it take to produce 3.0g of Cl2 (g) by
electrolysis of aqueous NaCl using a power supply with a
current of 12A?
Solution:
From half-reaction, we loss of 2 mol of electrons produces 1 mol of chlorine
gas:
So, we find the total charge:

Then, use relationship between charge and current to find time needed: