Electrolysis of Sodium Hydroxide Solution
* Electrolyte: Aqueous solution of NaOH (sodium hydroxide). This solution contains Na+ ions, OH- ions, and water molecules.
* Electrodes: Usually inert electrodes like platinum or nickel are used to avoid unwanted reactions.
Reactions at the Electrodes
* Cathode (Negative Electrode):
* Primary Reaction: Water molecules gain electrons and are reduced to hydrogen gas and hydroxide ions:
2H₂O + 2e⁻ → H₂(g) + 2OH⁻
* Reason: Hydrogen ions (H+) are much less abundant in a basic solution, making the reduction of water more favorable.
* Anode (Positive Electrode):
* Primary Reaction: Hydroxide ions lose electrons and are oxidized to oxygen gas and water:
4OH⁻ → O₂(g) + 2H₂O + 4e⁻
* Reason: The oxidation of hydroxide ions is more favorable than the oxidation of water.
Summary of Products
* Cathode: Hydrogen gas (H₂) is produced.
* Anode: Oxygen gas (O₂) is produced.
Important Note: The concentration of NaOH may increase slightly at the cathode due to the formation of additional hydroxide ions. However, the overall composition of the solution will remain largely the same.
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