Electrolysis

Electrolysis – Electrolytic cell

Pt Pt
Electrolyte
• Electrolysis is the chemical
Electrolysis
decomposition of an ionic compound
in molten state or aqueous solution
by electricity.

•E.g. the electrolysis of aluminium oxide will

break down aluminium oxide into its elements,
aluminium and oxygen.

•Electrolysis is an endothermic process.

(consumes a lot of electrical energy)

• A redox reaction.
Electrolytes – A compound that
• conducts electricity.
• is decomposed by the electric
current it conducts.
• contains free moving/mobile ions in
liquid state or aqueous solution
• Examples:
- ionic salts in molten state or
dissolved in water
- strong & weak alkalis and acids
Conductors – Elements that
• conducts electricity.
• are not decomposed or chemically
changed by the electric current it
conducts.
• contains free mobile / delocalised
electrons in solid or liquid state.
• Examples:
- metals, alloys
- graphite
 Non-electrolytes
• do not conduct electricity under all
conditions.
• do not contain any free mobile ions or
delocalised electrons in any state.
• Examples:
- mainly covalent compounds (esp
those insoluble in water
- organic solvents e.g. CCl4, alcohols
- Non-metals: S, diamond, etc.
Electrolysis – Electrolytic cell

Pt Pt
Electrolyte
 Definitions
Supplies electric current;
Dry Electrons move from negative
Cell/Battery terminal to positive terminal in
Or DC supply external circuit.
A molten liquid or aqueous solution
Electrolyte of ionic compound containing ions
to conduct electricity and becomes
decomposed during electrolysis.
A metal(platinum)or
Electrodes graphite(carbon) rod that connects
the electrolyte with the external
electrical circuit.
 Definitions
• A positively charged electrode from
which electrons leave the electrolyte.
Anode • Attracts anions(-)
• Oxidation occurs at the surface of
the anode

• A negatively charged electrode from

which electrons enters the electrolyte.
Cathode • Attracts cations(+)
• Reduction occurs at the surface of
the cathode
 Electrode Reactions

Cathode Anode
1. Attracts 1. Attracts
cations anions

2. Reduction 2. Oxidation
reaction reaction

3. Cations gain 3. Anions lose

electrons electrons

(GER) (LEO)
At the anode, oxidation reaction occurs.

Anode
surface
e.g. 2Cl- Cl2 + 2e-
Electrons oxidation
lost
At the cathode, reduction reaction occurs.

Cathode
surface

e.g. 2H+ + 2e- H2

reduction
Electrons
gain
Oxidation Reduction

Electrons lost Electrons

from anions gained by
cations
Electrolysis of PbBr2
 Electrolysis of molten PbBr2
Cathode Anode
1. Attracts Pb2+ 1. Attracts Br -
2. Reduction 2. Oxidation
reaction Pt Pt reaction

Pb2+ (l) + 2e- Pb(l) 2Br – (l) Br2(g) + 2e-

reduction oxidation
 Products of Electrolysis
Cathode Anode
1. Pb2+ 1. Br -
discharged discharged
by reduction Pt
by oxidation
Pt
reaction. reaction.
2. Product at
2. Product at cathode: anode:
Molten lead Bromine gas
 Overall reaction
Half Eqn
Cathode
reaction: Pb2+
(l) + 2e -
Pb(l)
reduction

Half Eqn
anode 2Br – (l) Br2(g) + 2e-
reaction: oxidation

Overall PbBr2 (l) Pb (l) + Br2 (g)

reaction:
Electrolysis of molten KCl
Electrolysis of molten NaCl
dc supply