Elektrolüüsiprotsessid

Elektrolüüsiprotsessid are chemical processes that use electric current to drive an otherwise non-spontaneous chemical reaction. This occurs in an electrolytic cell, which consists of two electrodes (an anode and a cathode) immersed in an electrolyte. The electrolyte is a substance that contains free ions, either a molten ionic compound or a solution of an ionic compound. When an external voltage is applied to the electrodes, positively charged ions (cations) migrate towards the negatively charged cathode, where they gain electrons (reduction). Simultaneously, negatively charged ions (anions) migrate towards the positively charged anode, where they lose electrons (oxidation).

The overall effect of electrolysis is the decomposition of a compound or the deposition of a substance onto an electrode. Common applications include the production of aluminum from its ore, the purification of metals like copper, and the generation of hydrogen and oxygen from water. The specific products of electrolysis depend on the electrolyte composition, the electrode materials, and the applied voltage. For instance, electrolyzing molten sodium chloride yields liquid sodium metal at the cathode and chlorine gas at the anode. Electrolyzing an aqueous solution of sodium chloride, however, produces hydrogen gas at the cathode and chlorine gas at the anode, with sodium ions remaining in solution due to the difficulty of reducing water. Understanding the electrochemical potentials of the species present is crucial for predicting the outcome of an electrolytic process.