1.
Introduction to Electrochemistry
• Electrochemistry: Study of the relationship between electricity and chemical
reactions.
• Electrolyte: A substance that conducts electricity when molten or
dissolved in water.
• Electrolysis: The process of using electricity to drive a non-
spontaneous chemical reaction.
2. Electrolysis
• Setup:
• Electrolyte: Provides ions for the reaction.
• Electrodes:
• Anode: Positive electrode (oxidation occurs).
• Cathode: Negative electrode (reduction occurs).
• Power Supply: Provides energy for the reaction.
Processes:
• At the Cathode (Reduction):
• Positive ions (cations) gain electrons: M^+ + e^- \to M .
• At the Anode (Oxidation):
• Negative ions (anions) lose electrons: X^- \to X + e^- .
3. Electrolysis of Common Electrolytes
1. Molten Ionic Compounds (e.g., molten NaCl ):
• Cathode: Na^+ + e^- \to Na .
• Anode: 2Cl^- \to Cl_2 + 2e^- .
2. Aqueous Solutions (water can also be involved):
• Electrolysis of aqueous NaCl :
• Cathode: 2H_2O + 2e^- \to H_2 + 2OH^- (hydrogen gas).
• Anode: 2Cl^- \to Cl_2 + 2e^- (chlorine gas).
• Competing ions:
• Cations: Less reactive metals (e.g., Cu^{2+}, Ag^+ ) are reduced
first.
• Anions: Halide ions (e.g., Cl^-, Br^- ) are oxidized before OH^- .
3. Electrolysis of Copper(II) Sulfate (CuSO₄):
• With Carbon Electrodes:
• Cathode: Cu^{2+} + 2e^- \to Cu .
• Anode: 4OH^- \to 2H_2O + O_2 + 4e^- .
• With Copper Electrodes (used in purification):
• Cathode: Copper is deposited: Cu^{2+} + 2e^- \to Cu .
• Anode: Copper dissolves: Cu \to Cu^{2+} + 2e^- .
4. Applications of Electrolysis
1. Electroplating: Coating an object with a layer of metal.
• Cathode: Object to be plated.
• Anode: Metal to coat (e.g., silver, nickel).
• Electrolyte: Solution of the plating metal ion.
2. Purification of Metals:
• Impure metal is the anode, pure metal is deposited at the cathode.
3. Manufacturing of Substances:
• Production of hydrogen and oxygen from water.
• Extraction of reactive metals (e.g., aluminum from bauxite).
5. Reactivity Series and Electrolysis
• Metals higher in the reactivity series (e.g., Na, K, Ca ) are
extracted by electrolysis.
• Metals lower in the series (e.g., Cu, Ag, Au ) can be extracted by
reduction using carbon.
6. Redox Reactions in Electrochemistry
• Oxidation: Loss of electrons.
• Reduction: Gain of electrons.
• Redox Reaction: Both oxidation and reduction occur simultaneously.
• Example: In Zn + Cu^{2+} \to Zn^{2+} + Cu , zinc is oxidized, and
copper is reduced.
7. Electrochemical Cells
•Galvanic: Converts chemical energy into electrical energy.
• Example: Zinc-Copper cell.
• Anode (negative): Zinc (oxidation occurs).
• Cathode (positive): Copper (reduction occurs).
8. Tests and Observations in Electrolysis
• Hydrogen Gas: Effervescence at the cathode; burns with a pop sound.
• Oxygen Gas: Effervescence at the anode; relights a glowing splint.
• Chlorine Gas: Green gas at the anode; bleaches damp litmus paper.
• Copper Deposition: Reddish-brown solid at the cathode.