Electrolysis of copper(II) sulfate solution with graphite electrodes

[euclon]

Overall stoichiometry: 2CuSO4 + 2H20 =4e=> 2H2SO4 + O2 + 2Cu

[nMDavina510]

@ChemPics right after 6 weeks of using this product bit.ly\uVlBLX Everyone can not believe how silky my legs are. They ask me if it's because I'm a blonde that there's hardly any hair ther, and I told all of them I'm not a natural blond so, there's lots of hair there you just don't see it anymore… It is gone.

[straighter100]

The 1 guy who disliked this licked the copper sulphate thinking it was Kool-Aid =)

[aboodal3las]

@straighter100 LOL !! 

[amaturechemist777]

You can get copper powder from the reaction in this vid it's formed at the cathode as a powder

[ChemPics]

Quite safe

[Pennielove]

You made h2so4. Search it. If your a real chemist you'll know what it is.

[therandomexample]

@Pennielove Dihydrogen sulfur quadoxygen, otherwise known as sulfuric acid. I have a mediocre understanding of the process, but I'm under the impression that unless you drink the copper sulfate, the entire process is safe.

[ChemPics]

See my video 'nitrogen dioxide generated' You need concentrated nitric acid. Where are you. It is difficult to get I expect. The vapour is poisonous! Use excess copper to neutralise all the nitric. Leave it for a day or two. Then filter off excess copper one single big lump of iron. It will displace the copper. If you use lot of bits you wont be able to separate them from the copper.

[XxVizzinixX]

That is too cool for school.

Seriously, why didn't I get to do this in school?

[ChemPics]

I don't know the answer to that. question. Did you do all the other things that are show on chempics clips?

Mike

[XxVizzinixX]

Hardly....

I guess that's the "price" of an underfunded science department.

[ChemPics]

I'm sorry to hear that. But most of the ChemPics clips only show apparatus and reagents costing pennies. The point of the clips is to provide 'evidence' of what is seen and 'how to set up' experiments. Glad you have found it interesting. If I can help further, let me know. My intention is to help anyone who want info on Chemistry

Mike

[XxVizzinixX]

Hey thanks,

I was thinking of making some copper sulfate crystals but I don't have pure sulfuric acid(dirty drain cleaner).

I read somewhere that its possible to make copper sulfate from electrolysis of an Epsom salt solution.....

Is this correct? What would the balanced equation look like?

Also, is this a good/easy way to make it or should I try to find pure sulfuric acid and do it that way.

PS I know you can buy copper sulfate very easily but I wanted to make some from scratch.

Thanks.

[ChemPics]

If you want to make it, use copper oxide or copper carbonate and dilute sulfuric acid (CuO + H2SO4 -> CuSO4 + CO2 + H2O). (Sulfuric acid doesn't react with copper metal). Epsom salts isn't a good starting place. Are you in the UK?

[XxVizzinixX]

Ok, I'll try that.

Where would one get copper oxide( not online)? I have lots of copper wire and some sulfuric acid used for cleaning water pipes.

I want to make CuSO4 using only materials I have around the house.

And no, I'm from the states. United States that is.

[ChemPics]

Copper metal won't react with dilute sulfuric acid. It will react with nitric acid, but the reaction liberates lots of poisonous NO2, (see ChemPics clip). SInce you are in the US I do not know where you can obtain materials.

Mike

[starshock01]

@XxVizzinixX you could make copper acetate, which is copper metal+vinegar+hydrogen peroxide, then after drying the crystals add sulfuric acid and more hydrogen peroxide