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Topic: KClO3 production through electrolysis problem...  (Read 6626 times)

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Offline holmwood

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KClO3 production through electrolysis problem...
« on: April 06, 2010, 05:48:45 AM »
Hi guys~  :)

Well, I'm working on another little science project. I'm trying to produce Potassium Chlorate through electrolysis because there's no place to buy some in this isolated wonderland... -_-"

I have attempted to electrolyze a solution of KCL, and I used a large amount at first.. The problem was, the pathetic wire kept breaking because of my impatience and my obsession with high voltage.

So yeah, the wire broke in the middle, but I got it all to do something. I siphoned the product and tested it with litmus paper.
It turned out to be blue.... which broke my heart because I used so much salt for it.

I've improved my electrolysis cell with something more sturdy and not just some pathetic strings attached to a formidable power supply... but is there any way I can still make use of the product that I got?

Whatever I got is crystallized now, so should I just dissolve it in water and continue with the reaction? Or do I have to start all over again?  :-[


Offline Grundalizer

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Re: KClO3 production through electrolysis problem...
« Reply #1 on: April 09, 2010, 01:01:25 PM »
I don't think you can make KClO3 just by electrolysing KCL.  According to wikipedia, electrolysing NaCl to give NaClO3 first, followed by the addition of KCl is how it is made industrially.  Otherwise, for smaller scale production, you still need some type of chlorate already. 

check out www.sciencemadness.org they usually have more hardcore amaetur chemists than these boards and they share a lot of their materials and methods

Offline dufengtao

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Re: KClO3 production through electrolysis problem...
« Reply #2 on: April 09, 2010, 01:07:50 PM »
The product of electrolysis of  aqueous KCl is KOH. So, you could not gain yourde sirable product.

Offline Grundalizer

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