The widest application of electrolysis

At the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries, several discoveries were made, which became the impetus for the birth of a new science - electrochemistry. And the founders of this science were two scientists. This Italian physiologist L. Galvani and English physicist A. Volt, who in 1799 created the first source of chemical current - "Volta Pole". It was these scientists who managed to find out that when an electric current passes through an aqueous solution of a salt, then chemical transformations take place in this solution, which are now called electrolytic. By itself, electrolysis is a fairly complex set of different processes. This migration (negative ions tend to the anode, and positive to the cathode) and ion diffusion. These are also various electrochemical and chemical reactions that occur between the electrolysis products themselves, between these products and the electrolyte, between them and the electrodes.

And the study of these processes has not only scientific value. Practical application of electrolysis is very actual now. For example, pure hydrogen, sodium or nickel can be obtained only in this way. And in the industry, electrolytic processes are used for a variety of purposes. They are used to produce inorganic substances, such as oxygen, hydrogen, alkali, chlorine and other non-metals. Also, electrolysis is used to purify certain metals (silver, copper). Still electrolytic processes became a basis for obtaining lithium, potassium, sodium, zinc, magnesium and other metals, as well as metal alloys.

In addition, the use of electrolysis in engineering is also the production of organic substances, galvanic coatings and metal surface treatment (electropolishing, borating, cleaning and nitriding). There is still electrophoresis, electrodialysis, electroforming and other similar processes that have practical application. Also, the value of electrolysis lies in the fact that it produces pure, almost 100% metals.

Take at least copper. Copper ore contains its oxides, sulfur compounds, as well as impurities of other metals. And copper, obtained from this ore, with all these impurities is cast in the form of plates. Then these plates as an anode are placed in a solution of copper sulfate (CuSO4). And then follows the application of electrolysis. A certain voltage is applied to the electrodes of the bath and pure metal is released on the cathode. And all extraneous impurities precipitate or pass into the electrolyte, without standing out on the cathode.

Also, the use of electrolysis is also important for the production of aluminum. An aqueous solution is not used in this process, it is replaced by molten bauxites. Such ores contain aluminum oxide, as well as iron oxide and silicon. After the bauxite treatment with alkali, a product called alumina is obtained. This alumina is loaded into a refractory furnace, at the bottom and walls of which carbon plates are laid out. These plates are connected to the negative of the power source. And to the plus, connect the carbon anode, which passes through the wall of this furnace. And when the anode is lowered, an electric arc arises in the furnace , melting alumina. Then, already in this molten mass, an electrolytic process occurs. And at the bottom of the furnace, pure (up to 99.5%) aluminum is accumulated, which is then poured into molds.

But the application of electrolysis is not only electrometallurgy. In this way, one metal can be coated with a layer of another metal. This process is called electroplating and it is used to protect the surface of the metal from oxidation, giving it greater strength, and also to give this surface a better appearance. And as coatings, nickel and chromium are usually used, which are less susceptible to oxidation or noble metals such as silver and gold.

In this case, the product to be galvanized is thoroughly degreased, cleaned and polished. Then it is placed in a galvanic bath as a cathode . The electrolyte in this bathroom is a solution of metal salt, which will be covered with products. And the anode is made of the same metal. And in order for this coating to be uniform, the cathode is placed between the two anodes. Then a certain current is applied to the electrodes, and the cathode is covered with a layer of silver, gold, nickel or chromium.

There is still such an application of electrolysis, which is called electroforming. This method receives copies from various metal objects (medals, coins, bas-reliefs). To do this, a copy of the object is made of a plastic material, such as wax. Then it is covered with graphite dust to give it electrical conductivity and put this copy in a bath where it serves as a cathode. And by electrolysis this copy is covered with a layer of metal of the required thickness. And the wax is then removed by heating. And this is only a small part of the possibilities, which provides a method called electrolysis.