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    Electrochemical Reactions Part 2 - Edited Version

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    Electrochemical Reactions Part 2 - Edited Version

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    7 views12 pages

    Electrochemical Reactions Part 2 - Edited Version

    Uploaded by

    nonkanyisopieterse1

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 12

    ELECTROCHEMICAL REACTIONS

    PART 2: ELECTROLYTICAL CELLS

    HLANGANANI CLUSTER

    EDUCATORS WORKSHOP

    PRESENTERS:

    BALOYI D.T

    VHEMBE WEST
    Electrolytic Cells
    Electrolytic cell is an electrochemical cell that convert electrical energy into chemical
    energy.

    Electrolysis: The chemical process in which electrical energy is converted into chemical
    energy OR the use of electrical energy to produce a chemical change.

    Electrolytic cell reaction is an ENDOTHERMIC; meaning electrical energy needs to be


    supplied to produce a chemical change (Non – spontaneous reaction)

     In electrolytic cell, a positive (+) electrode is an anode (electrode at which oxidation


    occurs) while a negative (– ) electrode is a cathode (electrode at which reduction
    occurs).

     It consists of one (1) container / beaker / electrolytic tank.

     Electrons flow from anode (+) to cathode (– ) during electrolysis.

     Electrodes in electrolytic cell usually consist of the same material (usually


    graphite/carbon electrodes), with some exceptions.
    Five (5) Electrolytic Processes

    1. The decomposition of metal salt [copper(II) chloride ]

    2. Electroplating, e.g. the electroplating of an iron spoon with silver or nickel

    3. Purification / Refining of metals (impure/blister/crude copper )

    4. The electrolysis of a concentrated solution of sodium chloride and its use


    in the chlor-alkali industry

    5. Electrowinning - The extraction / recovery of aluminium metal from


    bauxite
    1. The decomposition of copper(II) chloride
    Set up: A simplified diagram to illustrate what happens during decomposition of CuCℓ2(aq)

    Cell

    C(s) [Cathode] C(s) [Anode]

    Gas bubbles
    showing the
    formation of
    Chlorine gas Cℓ2(g)
    Copper deposit +
    Cu2+
    CuCℓ2(aq)
    CuCl2+– Cl -
    Observations & Discussion
    o Carbon (graphite) electrodes are used because they are inert
    (chemically unreactive) and they are good conductors of
    electricity.
    o The following oxidation half-reaction occurs at the anode:
    2 ℓ (aq) → Cℓ (g) + 2
    o Gas bubbles are seen on the surface of the anode, which
    indicate that a gas is formed, namely chlorine (Cℓ ), yellowish-
    green gas
    o The following reduction half-reaction occurs at the cathode:
    ( q) + 2 → Cu( )
    o A reddish-brown copper deposit will be formed on the surface of
    the cathode.
    o The balanced overall reaction is given by the following equation:

    aq +2 ℓ (aq)→ (s) + Cℓ ( )
    CuCℓ (aq)→ (aq) + Cℓ ( )
    2. Electroplating
    Electroplating is the process of coating an electrically conductive object with a thin layer of
    metal using an electrical current.

    What is the purpose of electroplating?


    i. To improve the appearance of the coated object.
    ii. To protect the metal against rust or corrosion. Power supply

    E.g.: Electroplating of nickel spoon with silver.

    Ni(s) [Cathode] Ag (s) [Anode]

    Ag+
    Silver(Ag) deposit

    AgNO3 (aq)
    Observations & Discussion

    o Spoon made of nickel(Ni) and Silver strip/plate are used as


    electrodes.
    o The following oxidation half-reaction occurs at the anode:
    Ag(s) → Ag+(aq) +
    o The following reduction half-reaction occurs at the cathode:

    ( q) + → Ag( ) {Desirable reaction}

    o A silver deposit will be formed on the surface of spoon.

    o The concentration of the electrolyte (AgNO3) remains constant


    during electroplating because the rate oxidation of Ag at the
    anode equals to the rate of reduction of at the cathode. For
    evenly coating of the spoon, the spoon must continuously be
    rotated.
    3. Purification / Refining of copper

    Pure Cu

    Impure Cu
    (Anode)
    + – (Cathode)

    Sludge/Anode slime Cu2+ Copper deposit


    Observations & Discussion

    o Electrodes are made of pure and impure copper plates.


    o The following oxidation half-reaction occurs at the anode:
    Cu(s) → Cu2+(aq) + 2
    o During electrolysis impurities/residues settle at the bottom of
    the electrolytic tank. These impurities are of economic
    importance as they contain precious/valuable/expensive metals,
    such as silver, platinum and gold. Also zinc ions are also within
    the impurities.
    o The following reduction half-reaction occurs at the cathode:
    ( q) + 2 → Cu( )
    o A copper deposit will be formed on the surface of the cathode.
    The concentration of the electrolyte (CuSO4 ) remains constant
    during electrorefining because the rate oxidation of Cu at the
    anode equals to the rate of reduction of at the cathode
    4. The electrolysis of a concentrated solution of sodium chloride
    Experimental set up
    o Carbon (graphite) electrodes are used, since they are inert.
    o During electrolysis, conc. NaCℓ(aq) dissociates into Na+(aq) and Cℓ– (aq) ions.

    o Sodium ion (Na+) acts as a spectator ion.


    Cℓ2(g) H2(g)

    +
    OH – (aq) – Na (aq) C(s) {Cathode}
    C(s) {Anode} +

    Cℓ – (aq)

    Concentrated NaCℓ(aq)
    Observations & Discussion

    o The following oxidation half-reaction occurs at the anode:


    2 ℓ (aq) → Cℓ ( ) + 2
    o Chloride ions ℓ are oxidised to chlorine gas (C ℓ ) and
    collected in test tube aligned with the anode (positive electrode).
    o The following reduction half-reaction occurs at the cathode:

    2H2O(ℓ) + 2 → H2(g) + 2OH–(aq)


    o Water (H2O) is reduced to hydrogen gas (H2) and collected in test
    tube aligned with the cathode (negative electrode).
    o Na+(aq) reacts with OH–(aq) to form sodium hydroxide (NaOH),
    hence the solution will be basic (alkaline) at the completion of
    the reaction. [Na+(aq) + OH–(aq) → NaOH(aq)]
    o The balanced overall reaction is given by the following equation:
    2H2O(ℓ) + 2Cℓ ─(aq) → Cℓ2 (g) + H2(g) + 2OH– (aq)
    OR 2H2O(ℓ) + 2NaCℓ(aq) → Cℓ2 (g) + H2(g) + 2NaOH aq) {including spectator ion}
    *** THE END ***

    THANK YOU

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