Elektrodireaktiot

Elektrodireaktiot, often shortened to elektroreaktiot, refers to chemical reactions that are driven or controlled by an electric current. These reactions occur at the interface between an electrode and an electrolyte solution. In an electrochemical cell, an electric potential is applied across two electrodes, typically a working electrode and a counter electrode, immersed in an electrolyte. This applied potential drives the transfer of electrons between the electrodes and the chemical species in the electrolyte.

When an electric current flows, oxidation or reduction reactions take place at the electrode surfaces. Oxidation involves the loss of electrons, typically occurring at the anode, while reduction involves the gain of electrons, occurring at the cathode. These processes can lead to the formation of new chemical substances, the dissolution of electrode material, or the deposition of ions from the electrolyte onto the electrode.

Elektrodireaktiot are fundamental to a wide range of technologies. Electroplating, used to coat objects with a thin layer of metal for decorative or protective purposes, relies on the reduction of metal ions from the electrolyte onto a substrate acting as the cathode. Electrolysis, the process of using electricity to drive a non-spontaneous chemical reaction, is another key application, famously used for producing elements like aluminum and chlorine gas. Batteries and fuel cells are also examples of devices that harness controlled elektrodireaktiot to generate electrical energy from chemical reactions. The study and application of these reactions fall under the field of electrochemistry.