ELECTROLYSIS OF BRINE
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What is brine?
Sodium chloride solution
Why do we put brine through electrolysis?
To extract chlorine, sodium hydroxide and hydrogen.
What do you sodium hydroxide used for?
Cleaning agents Manufacture of paper
What do we use chlorine for?
Sanitation of pools Making plastics
What do we use hydrogen for?
Part of fertiliser Paint industry Making HCl
In the electrolysis of brine, what is formed at the anode?
Chlorine
In the electrolysis of brine, what is formed at the cathode?
Hydrogen
How do we get sodium hydroxide from the electrolysis of brine?
The solution left behind is sodium hydroxide solution
What is the cathode made of the electrolysis of brine?
A metal. The metal often is mercury.
Why is it important to recognise that mercury is part of the electrolysis of brine?
Because mercury is toxic and some of it will be released into the environment. This is clearly not good.
What are two environmental impacts of the electrolysis of brine?
Mercury is toxic and some is released into the environment as a result of electrolysis. It requires a lot of electricity. Electricity is made through the burning of fossil fuels.
What is the half equation that occurs at the anode?
2Cl- –> Cl2 + 2e-
What is the half equation that occurs at the cathode?
2H+ + 2e- –> H2
Why does hydrogen collect at the cathode rather than sodium?
Because sodium is more reactive than hydrogen