ELECTROLYTES ELECTRODES

1. STRONG ELECTROLYTES 1. INERT ELECTRODES – do not

- Good conductors of electricity participate in chemical reaction
- Solutions contain almost only during electrolysis
free mobile ions - Examples: Platinum, Graphite
- Acids: - HCl, H2SO4, HNO3 etc etc
- Bases: - NaOH, KOH 2. ACTIVE ELECTRODES – participate
- Salts: - NaCl (Aqueous or in chemical reaction during
molten), CuSO4(Aqueous or electrolysis
molten) etc - Examples: Zinc, Copper, Silver
2. WEAK ELECTROLYTES etc
- Partially dissociated
- Solutions contains ions as well
as molecules A. Anode
- Acids: - Carbonic acid, Acetic - Positive electrode
acid, Oxalic acid etc - Anions migrate towards anode
- Bases: - Calcium hydroxide, - Oxidation at anode (Losing of
Ammonium hydroxide etc electrons)
- Salts: - Sodium carbonate and
bicarbonate B. Cathode
3. NON – ELECTROLYTES - Negative electrode
- Insulator of electricity - Cations migrate towards
- Solutions contains only cathode
molecules - Reduction at cathode (Gaining
- Examples: - Distilled water, of electrons)
alcohol, kerosene, carbon
disulphide, glucose, sugar etc

ELECTROLYSIS OF LEAD BROMIDE (PbBr2) ELECTROLYSIS OF ACIDIFIED WATER

Electrolyte: Molten lead bromide Electrolyte: Distilled water acidified with
Ions present: Pb2+, Br- sulphuric acid
Anode material: Graphite Ions present: H+, OH-, SO42-
Cathode material: Graphite Anode material: Platinum electrode
Electrolytic cell: Crucible made of silica Cathode material: Platinum electrode
Anode reaction: Br- à Br + e- Electrolytic cell: Hoffman’s Voltameter
Br + Br à Br2 Anode reaction: 4OH-à 4OH + 4e-
OR 2Br- - 2e- à Br2 4OH à 2H2O + O2
Observation: Dark reddish-brown fumes of Observation: Gas liberated at anode
bromine evolve at anode rekindles a glowing splinter
Cathode reaction: Pb2+ + 2e- à Pb Cathode reaction: 2H+ + 2e- à 2H
Observation: Greyish lead is formed on the H + H à H2
cathode Observation: Gas liberated at cathode
Points to note: -Silica crucible is used as it burns with a pop sound.
can withstand high temperature. Points to note: - SO42- is not discharged at
-Platinum anode is not used because anode due to preferential discharge of less
bromine gas reacts with it. reactive ions (here OH-).
Crucible is constantly heated to keep lead -Electrolysis of water gives 2 volumes of H2
bromide in molten state. and 1 volume of O2.
-This electrolysis is an example of catalysis
Solid lead bromide does not conduct as Sulphuric acid acts as a catalyst, as it is
electricity as its ions are held by strong retained after the reaction.
electrostatic forces. -HCl or HNO3 is not used to acidify water
because they are more volatile than
H2SO4.

ELECTROLYSIS OF COPPER SULPHATE -1 ELECTROLYSIS OF COPPER SULPHATE -2

Electrolyte: Acidified saturated solution of Electrolyte: Acidified aqueous copper
copper sulphate sulphate solution
Ions present: Cu2+, SO42-, H+, OH- Ions present: Cu2+, SO42-, H+, OH-
Anode material: Platinum anode Anode material: Copper electrode
Cathode material: Platinum or copper Cathode material: Copper electrode
Electrolytic cell: Glass or porcelain jar Electrolytic cell: Fe crucible or glass
Anode reaction: 4OH - à 4OH + 4e- voltameter
4OH à 2H2O + O2 Anode reaction: Cu – 2e- à Cu2+
Observation: Gas liberated at anode OR Cu à Cu2+ + 2e-
rekindles a glowing splinter Observation: Anode get oxidised and
Cathode reaction: Cu2+ + 2e- à Cu thickness of anode reduces
Observation: Reddish Brown copper is Cathode reaction: Cu2+ + 2e- à Cu
deposited at cathode Observation: Copper deposits at cathode
Points to note: - When deposition of and thickness of cathode increases.
copper ions is completed, electrolysis of Points to note: -No product is formed at
water occur and H2 is liberated at cathode. anode as anode itself gets oxidised.
-Blue colour of copper sulphate fades due -No change in colour of copper sulphate
to decrease in concentration of Cu2+ ions. solution.

APPLICATIONS OF ELECTROLYSIS
ELECTROPLATING ELECTROLYTIC REFINING
Electroplating with Silver: Refining of Copper:
Electrolyte: Sodium or potassium Electrolyte: Solution of copper sulphate
argentocyanide. and dilute sulphuric acid
Ions present: Ag+, CN-, H+, OH- Ions present: Cu2+, SO42-, H+, OH-
Anode material: Pure Silver Metal Anode material: Impure copper
Cathode material: Material to be Cathode material: Thin strip of pure
electroplated. copper
Anode reaction: Ag à Ag+ + e- Anode reaction: Cu à Cu2+ + 2e-
Cathode reaction: Ag+ + e- à Ag Cathode reaction: Cu2+ + 2e- à Cu
Observation: Silver get deposited on the Observation: Impure copper (Anode) gets
material to be electroplated thinner and impurities which are insoluble
Points to note: - Sodium or potassium get collected near anode as Anode mud.
argentocyanide is used over silver nitrate Pure copper (Cathode) gets thicker.
solution to avoid fast deposition of silver,
thus making a slow, smooth and uniform
deposition of silver.
-A low dc current for a longer duration is
used
-the material to be plated(cathode) is
taken out repeatedly, washed and
polished
-CN- and OH- migrate towards the anode,
but is not discharged as the anode itself
gets oxidised.
Electroplating with Nickel:
Electrolyte: Aqueous NiSO4 solution
Ions present: Ni2+, SO42-, H+, OH-
Anode material: Block of Nickel metal
Cathode material: Material to be
electroplated.
Anode reaction: Ni à Ni2+ + 2e-
Cathode reaction: Ni2+ + 2e- à Ni
Observation: Nickel get deposited on the
material to be electroplated
Points to note:
-A low dc current for a longer duration is
used for smooth and uniform deposition.
-the material to be plated(cathode) is
taken out repeatedly, washed and
polished
-dilute sulphuric acid is added to the
electrolyte to increase dissociation.