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In chemistry and manufacturing, electrolysis is a technique that uses direct electric current (DC) to drive an otherwise non-spontaneous chemical reaction. Electrolysis is commercially important as a stage in the separation of elements from naturally occurring sources such as ores using an electrolytic cell .
Electrolysis of water is using electricity to split water into oxygen (O 2) and hydrogen (H 2) gas by electrolysis. Hydrogen gas released in this way can be used as ...
Electrolysis is usually done in bulk using hundreds of sheets of metal connected to an electric power source. In the production of copper, these pure sheets of copper are used as starter material for the cathodes, and are then lowered into a solution such as copper sulfate with the large anodes that are cast from impure (97% pure) copper.
Proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis is the electrolysis of water in a cell equipped with a solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) [3] that is responsible for the conduction of protons, separation of product gases, and electrical insulation of the electrodes. The PEM electrolyzer was introduced to overcome the issues of partial load, low ...
Anion exchange membrane (AEM) electrolysis is the electrolysis of water that utilises a semipermeable membrane that conducts hydroxide ions (OH −) called an anion exchange membrane. Like a proton-exchange membrane (PEM), the membrane separates the products, provides electrical insulation between electrodes, and conducts ions.
The most common chloralkali process involves the electrolysis of aqueous sodium chloride (a brine) in a membrane cell. A membrane, such as Nafion, Flemion or Aciplex, is used to prevent the reaction between the chlorine and hydroxide ions. Basic membrane cell used in the electrolysis of brine.
Both of these mechanisms can be seen in industrial practices at the cathode side of the electrolyzer where hydrogen evolution occurs. In acidic conditions, it is referred to as proton exchange membrane electrolysis or PEM, while in alkaline conditions it is referred to simply as alkaline electrolysis. Historically, alkaline electrolysis has ...
The bulk electrolysis can also be useful for synthetic purposes if the product of the electrolysis can be isolated. This is most convenient when the product is neutral and can be isolated from the electrolyte solution through extraction or when the product plates out on the electrode or precipitates in another fashion.