this is a process i am attempting to replicate in an attempt to determine if The grade of tungsten carbide will effect the efficency of this reaction, and bare with me, i don't know how to properly write this on a computer, so ^(+) will be a + towards the top and (2) will be a 2 towards the bottem. and Ag and Mg in this equation are in a colloid form, from nutritional supplement pills.
1) 4Ag^(+) + 2Zn= 2Zn^(+2) + 4Ag
2) 4Ag= 4Ag^(-) + 4e^(-) (oxidation at Zinc anode)
3) 4H(2)O + 4e^(-) = 2H(2) + HO^(-) (reduction at tungsten carbide cathode)
4) 4OH^(-) = 2H(2)O + O(2) + 4e^(-) (oxidation at Zinc anode)
5) 2Mg^(+2) + 4e^(-) = 2Mg (reduction at tungsten carbide cathode)
6) 2Zn^(+2) +2Mg = 2Mg^(+2) + 2Zn (Zinc anode regeneration)
how would the role of a cathode be changed if i used a lower grade of tungsten carbide (it is softer and cheaper, only reason).
i thank all who respond intelligently.