#08-035 Electrolysis Test; Baking Soda, Vinegar & Distilled

[Riskteven]

What is this brown particulate? Is it rust from the electrodes?

[slinkee2k]

Are you using steel electrodes? Even stainless steel will oxidize when electrolyzed in an aqueous solution.

You should try some inert carbon electrodes. That way, you eliminate another competing reaction, as well as that nasty "particulate" which is likely iron oxide (rust).

[pyromodder]

try using copper next time

[slinkee2k]

I hope you are joking. ;-)

Copper corrodes quite nastily. I accidentally got some copper exposed in my own experiment and it got rather nasty in there.

Carbon electrodes are ideal as inert electrodes.

[pyromodder]

this would just produce the highly soluble copper acetate, the hydroxides produced would be converted.

[slinkee2k]

Respectfully, why would this be better than carbon graphite electrodes?

[slinkee2k]

I mean, to WHAT are hydroxides converted to?

You mean hydroxides that are formed in a competing reaction, ya?

[xiodkev]

@slinkee2k hydroxides are discharged to produce oxygen gas and water which will continue to electrolise to form hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions

[carrierpilot1357]

copper will oxidize also.

[YourDarkAccomplice]

Interesting! :D