Electrolysis is the process of using an electric current to drive a non-spontaneous chemical reaction. It is
used to produce a variety of chemicals, including hydrogen, oxygen, chlorine, and sodium hydroxide.
One of the most important applications of electrolysis is the splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen,
a process known as water electrolysis. Hydrogen is a clean and renewable fuel source, and oxygen is
used in a variety of industrial and medical applications.
Porous carbon is a promising material for electrodes in water electrolyzes. It has a number of
advantages, including high electrical conductivity, chemical stability, large surface area, and low cost.
Materials and mechanism
2 Electrodes: Porous carbon (TWPC)
Electrolyte: sulphuric acid (H2SO4), potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution
Cell body: Glass
Power source: Battery
The mechanism of water electrolysis in porous carbon electrodes is as follows:
1) The electric current drives the movement of ions in the electrolyte solution to the electrodes.
2) At the cathode, positive hydrogen ions (H+) are reduced to form hydrogen gas (H2).
3) At the anode, negative oxygen ions (O2-) are oxidized to form oxygen gas (O2).
The specific reactions that occur at the electrodes are as follows:
Cathode: 2H+ + 2e- -> H2
Anode: O2- -> 1/2O2 + 2e-
Porous carbon electrodes are a promising material for electrolytic cells due to their high electrical
conductivity, chemical stability, large surface area, and low cost. Porous carbon electrodes can be used to
develop high-efficiency and cost-effective electrolytic cells for a variety of applications, including water
electrolysis, hydrogen peroxide synthesis, and chlorine production.
