The automatic redox reaction of a common battery produces electricity due to the different reduction

potentials of the cathode and anode in the electrolyte. However, electrolysis requires an external
source of electricity to trigger a chemical reaction, and this process takes place inside a unit called an
electrolytic cell. Electrolysis of molten sodium chloride
Once dissolved, the sodium chloride salt can be electrolyzed to give metallic sodium and chlorine gas.
In the factory, this process takes place in a special cell called a Down cell. The cell is connected to a
light source, allowing electrons to flow from the power source to the electrolytic cell.[28]

Reactions that occur in Down cells are as follows:[28]

Anode (oxidation): 2 Cl− → Cl2(g) + 2 e-

Cathode (reduction): 2 Na+(l) + 2 e- → 2 Na(l)
Global reaction: 2 Na+ + 2 Cl−(l) → 2 Na(l) + Cl2(g)
This process can produce large quantities of sodium metal and chlorine gas, and is widely used in
mineral processing and industrial plants.

The emf for this process is around -4 V indicating a (highly) unpredictable process. For this reaction,
the light source must provide at least a difference of 4 V. However, a high voltage must be used for
this reaction to be carried out at a high rate. Water electrolysis
Main article: Electrolysis of water
Water can be converted into its elemental gases, H2 and O2, by applying an external voltage. Water
does not dissolve simultaneously into hydrogen and oxygen because the Gibbs free energy change for
the system under standard conditions is very positive, about 474.4 kJ. Water can be decomposed into
hydrogen and oxygen in an electrolytic cell. In it, a pair of inert electrodes usually made of platinum
immersed in water act as the anode and cathode in the electrolytic process. Electrolysis begins by
applying an external voltage between electrodes. This process can only be done at very high voltage
without an electrolyte such as sodium chloride or sulfuric acid (typically 0.1 M).[29]

Gas bubbles will be seen around the two electrodes. The following half-reactions describe the process
mentioned above:

Anode (oxidation): 2 H2O (l) → O2(g) + 4 H+(aq) + 4 e-

Cathode (reduction): 2 H2O(g) + 2 e- → H2(g) + 2 OH−(aq)
Universal reaction: 2 H2O (l) → 2 H2(g) + O2(g)
Although strong acid can be used in the device, the reaction will not consume the acid. Although this
reaction works with each electrode conducting at full power, platinum causes the formation of both
hydrogen and oxygen, allowing a very low voltage (~2 V depending on pH).[29]

Electrolysis of aqueous solutions

Electrolysis in aqueous solution is a process similar to the aforementioned electrolysis of water.
However, it is considered a complex process because the contents of the solution and the reaction
medium must be analyzed whether it is reduced or oxidized.

Electrolysis of sodium chloride solution

Main article: Chloralkali system
The presence of water in the sodium chloride solution will be analyzed with respect to its reduction
and oxidation at the two electrodes. Usually, water is electrolyzed as mentioned above and water
electrolysis produces oxygen gas at the anode and hydrogen gas at the cathode. On the other hand,
sodium chloride and water dissociate into Na+ and Cl- ions. cation, which is a positive ion, will be
attracted to the cathode (-), thus reducing the sodium ion. The chloride anion will be drawn to the (+)
anode, where it forms chlorine gas.[30]

The following half-reactions should be considered in the mentioned process:[30]

Cathode: Na+(aq) + e− → Na(s) E°red = -2.71V

Anode: 2 Cl−(aq) → Cl2(g) + 2 e- E°red = +1.36 V
Cathode: 2 H2O(l) + 2 e− → H2(g) + 2 OH−(aq) E°red = –0.83 V
Anode: 2 H2O (l) → O2(g) + 4 H+(aq) + 4 e- E°red = +1.23 V