Electrolysis of NaCl (Sodium Chloride)

Electrolysis is a process that uses an electric current to drive a non-spontaneous chemical reaction. When it comes to the electrolysis of NaCl (sodium chloride), it involves the decomposition of the compound into its constituent elements, sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl). This process occurs in an electrolytic cell, which consists of an anode and a cathode immersed in an electrolyte solution.

1. Electrolytic Cell Setup:
The electrolytic cell used for the electrolysis of NaCl consists of a source of direct current (DC) power supply, two electrodes (anode and cathode), and an electrolyte solution of NaCl.

2. Anode:
The anode is the positively charged electrode in the electrolytic cell. It attracts anions (negatively charged ions) and undergoes oxidation. In the case of NaCl electrolysis, the anode reaction involves the oxidation of chloride ions (Cl-) to chlorine gas (Cl2).

3. Cathode:
The cathode is the negatively charged electrode in the electrolytic cell. It attracts cations (positively charged ions) and undergoes reduction. In the electrolysis of NaCl, the cathode reaction involves the reduction of sodium ions (Na+) to sodium metal (Na).

4. Electrolyte Solution:
The electrolyte solution used in the electrolytic cell is a solution of sodium chloride (NaCl) dissolved in water (H2O). This solution allows the flow of ions to occur, completing the electrical circuit.

5. Half-Reactions:
The overall electrolysis reaction of NaCl can be divided into two half-reactions:
- Anode Half-Reaction: 2Cl- → Cl2 + 2e-
- Cathode Half-Reaction: 2H2O + 2e- → H2 + 2OH-

6. Overall Reaction:
The overall reaction in the electrolysis of NaCl can be represented as:
2NaCl + 2H2O → Cl2 + H2 + 2NaOH

7. Products:
The products of the electrolysis of NaCl are chlorine gas (Cl2) at the anode, hydrogen gas (H2) at the cathode, and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) in the electrolyte solution.

8. Uses of Products:
- Chlorine gas has various applications, including the production of PVC, bleaching agents, and disinfectants.
- Hydrogen gas is utilized in industries for the production of ammonia and in fuel cells for generating electricity.
- Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is a versatile chemical used in the production of paper, textiles, soaps, and detergents.

In conclusion, the electrolysis of NaCl involves the decomposition of sodium chloride into chlorine gas, hydrogen gas, and sodium hydroxide. This process occurs in an electrolytic cell with the anode attracting chloride ions and the cathode attracting sodium ions. The resulting products have numerous industrial applications.

Electrolysis of common salt solutionWhen electricity is passed through the salt solution, four types of ions, ie, sodium, chlorine, hydrogen, hydrogen ions are produced. Hydrogen ions discharge at cathode whereas chlorine ions are discharged at the anode. Now if the electrodes are immersed in water and current is passed, bubbles of oxygen gas is liberated at cathode