Electrochemical Cell and Electrolytic Cell

What is an Electrochemical Cell

An electrochemical cell is a system that can produce electrical energy through spontaneous
chemical reactions. The chemical reactions that are involved in this process are called redox
reactions. Redox reactions occur through transferring of electrons between chemical species. A
redox reaction includes two half-reactions: oxidation reaction and reduction reaction. The
oxidation reaction always releases electrons to the system whereas the reduction reaction takes
electrons from the system. Therefore, the two half-reactions occur simultaneously.

Electrochemical cells are found in two types, as voltaic (galvanic) cells and electrolytic cells. An
electrochemical cell is composed of two half cells. The half-reactions occur in two half cells. The
chemical reactions that take place in that cell cause the build up of a potential difference between
two half cells.

A half-cell should be composed of an electrode and an electrolyte. Therefore, a complete

electrochemical cell is composed of two electrodes and two electrolytes; sometimes, the two half
cells may use the same electrolyte. If there are two different electrolytes used, then a salt bridge
should be used in order to keep the contact between the electrolytes. It is done by making a passage
to transfer ions through the salt bridge. The electrons flow from one-half cell to the other through
an external circuit. The two electrodes are called anode and cathode.

The oxidation and reduction reactions occur in two electrodes separately. The oxidation reaction
occurs in the anode whereas the reduction reaction occurs in the cathode. Therefore, electrons are
produced in the anode and they move from anode to cathode through the external circuit. The salt
bridge helps to maintain the system neutral (electrically) by transferring ions through it in order to
balance the electrical charges.

Let’s consider the following electrochemical cell.

Figure 1: Electrochemical Cell

Here, the anode is the Zn (Zinc) electrode and the cathode is the Cu (Copper) electrode. The
oxidation reaction occurs in the Zn electrode. There, the metallic Zn is oxidized into Zn+2 ions.
The released electrons are passed through the external wire. Produced Zn+2 ions are released into
the solution. Therefore, Zn electrode will be dissolved with the time. The reduction reaction occurs
near the cathode. The cathode is a Cu electrode. There, the electrons coming from the external
circuit are taken by the Cu2+ ions in the solution and are reduced into Cu metal. Therefore, the
mass of the Cu electrode will be increased with time. The electron flow through the external wire
can be measured as the electrical current produced from the redox reaction. This is the typical
structure of an electrochemical cell.

Reactions

 Reaction in the Anode (oxidation)

Zn(s) → Zn+2(aq) + 2e

 Reaction in the Cathode (reduction)

Cu+2(aq) + 2e → Cu(s)
What is an Electrolytic Cell
An electrolytic cell is a type of electrochemical cell in which electrical energy can be used to cause
a chemical reaction to occur. In other words, the electrical energy should be supplied from an
outside source. Then a nonspontaneous reaction can be initiated. Electrolytic cells are most
commonly used for electrolysis of compounds.

An electrolytic cell is also composed of solid metals as electrodes. There are two electrodes
connected to an external circuit. One electrode acts as the anode whereas other one acts as the
cathode. The oxidation reaction will occur in the anode and the reduction reaction will occur in
the cathode.

The external electrical energy supply (from the battery connected to the two electrodes) provide
an electron flow through the cathode. These electrons then enter the electrolytic solution. Then,
the cations in the solution gather around the cathode and obtain electrons that are coming through
the cathode. Therefore, these cations are reduced at the cathode. The electrons in the cathode repel
anions in the solution. These anions migrate towards the anode. There, these anions release
electrons and get oxidized. Therefore, the anode has a positive charge and cathode has a negative
charge.

Let us consider the following example.

Figure 2: The Electrolysis of Copper Chloride Solution

In the above electrolytic cell, the battery provides electrons to the cathode and Cu+2 ions gather
around the cathode to take the electrons from the cathode. Then the Cu+2 ions are reduced to Cu
metal and are deposited on the cathode. Then Cl– ions migrate towards the anode and release the
excess electron they have. There, the oxidation of Cl– occurs forming Cl2(g).

Reactions

 Reaction in the Anode (oxidation)

2Cl–(aq) → Cl2(g) + 2e

 Reaction in the Cathode (reduction)

Cu+2(aq) + 2e → Cu(s)

Differences Between Electrochemical Cell and Electrolytic

Cell
Definition

Electrochemical Cell: An electrochemical cell is a system that can produce electrical energy
through spontaneous chemical reactions.

Electrolytic Cell: An electrolytic cell is a type of electrochemical cell where electrical energy
can be used to create a chemical reaction.

Energy Conversion

Electrochemical Cell: In electrochemical cell, chemical energy is converted into electrical

energy.

Electrolytic Cell: In electrolytic cell, electrical energy is converted into chemical energy.

External Current

Electrochemical Cell: Electrochemical cells do not need external electrical energy sources.

Electrolytic Cell: Electrolytic cells need external electrical energy sources.

Chemical Reactions

Electrochemical Cell: In electrochemical cells, spontaneous chemical reactions take place.

Electrolytic Cell: In electrolytic cells, nonspontaneous chemical reactions take place.

Electrodes

Electrochemical Cell: In an electrochemical cell, the anode is negative and the cathode is
positive.

Electrolytic Cell: In an electrolytic cell, the anode is positive and the cathode is negative.

Electron Movement

Electrochemical Cell: Electrons are passed from anode to cathode in electrochemical cells.

Electrolytic Cell: Electrons are passed from the battery to cathode and then the electrons enter
the anode through the electrolytic solution in electrolytic cells.