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Topic: Electrolysis of water speeding reactants.  (Read 3586 times)

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Offline powerman

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Electrolysis of water speeding reactants.
« on: March 31, 2008, 06:42:41 PM »
I am looking for different compounds to speed the production of Hydrogen and Oxygen. 

I am wondering in particular about epsom salt if anyone can give an insight on it?

Thanks a ton in advance.

Powerman

Offline Arkcon

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Re: Electrolysis of water speeding reactants.
« Reply #1 on: March 31, 2008, 07:16:45 PM »
If you're looking for an electrolyte to improve the conductivity of water that you're electrolyzing, than yes, magnesium sulfate is a pretty good choice, and will speed gas generation.  Neither ion -- Mg, nor SO4, is going to be electrolyzed instead of water, unlike for some other cheap, common salts, for example, table salt.
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Offline pzona69

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Re: Electrolysis of water speeding reactants.
« Reply #2 on: March 31, 2008, 09:53:10 PM »
I know this is unrelated to the original question, but why won't MgSO4 electrolyze? I was looking at it as a possible source of the sulfate ion for making Cu2SO4, so I'm guessing that won't work?

EDIT: Could it have something to do with electronegativity??

Offline Borek

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Re: Electrolysis of water speeding reactants.
« Reply #3 on: April 01, 2008, 03:41:54 AM »
but why won't MgSO4 electrolyze?

In simple terms: because water gets electrolyzed more easily. Check with the reactivity series and/or potentials of half reactions.
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