Introduction

In this experiment, we will determine the most efficient electrolyte for hydrogen production through electrolysis. The electrolytes that we have considered for this comparison are table salt, calcium chloride, baking soda, lye, and sea salt.

Aim

To find which electrolyte is the most efficient electrolyte for hydrogen production through electrolysis.

Theory

1. We hypothesized that among all the electrolytes, iodized salt would harness the most amount of hydrogen.

2. The process in which electric current is passed through a solution to affect its chemical composition is termed electrolysis.

3. In electrolysis, the chemical substance can lose as well as gain electrons.

Hydrogen Production Through Electrolysis

Requirements

1. Iodized table salt

2. Sea salt

3. Baking soda

4. Calcium chloride

5. Lye

6. 9-volt battery

7. Copper wires

8. Graphite rods

9. Test tube

10. Scale

11. Pen

12. Notebook

Procedure

Step 1: Prepare a 5 % electrolyte solution from each of the substances (sea salt, baking soda, calcium chloride, lye, and iodized table salt).

Step 2: Bring the prepared 400 ml solution of electrolytes to a 38 degrees Celsius temperature.

Step 3: Put a graphite rod into each of the 400 ml solutions of electrolytes.

Step 4: Wrap copper wire around the Graphite rod. Here, the graphite rod will act as the anode.

Step 5: Take a 9-volt battery and pass an electric current through the connected copper wire into the solution.

Step 6: Pass the electric current for five minutes.

Step 7: Use a test tube to capture the hydrogen.

Step 8: To measure the amount of collected hydrogen gas, draw a line on the test tube.

Step 9: Fill the water up to that line, then measure the amount of water in millimeters.

Step 10: Repeat this procedure for five for each of the electrolytes.

Step 11: Record your observations.

Observation

In our experiment to find out the Most Efficient Electrolyte for Hydrogen Production through Electrolysis, we observed:

1. The most efficient electrolyte that harnesses the most amount of hydrogen is Lye. The amount of hydrogen it harnesses was 19.94 ml on average.

2. After this came the iodized salt that had harnessed an average of 6.74 ml of hydrogen.

3. Sea salt harnessed on an average of 6.6 ml hydrogen.

4. Baking soda produced an average of 33.1 ml of hydrogen.

5. The one that harnessed the least amount of hydrogen was calcium chloride. It produced, on average, 1.8 ml of hydrogen.

Result

1. The hypothesis in which we assumed that ionized salt would harness the most hydrogen was wrong. It was Lye that produced the most hydrogen and was the most effective one.

2. Lye produced two times more hydrogen than ionized salt.

3. Iodized salt is more economical than Lye as Lye is two times more expensive than iodized salt.

4. One of the biggest problems with clean hydrogen is its high cost.

5. At present, the cheapest one is gasoline, but it affects the environment negatively. Therefore, it would no longer be an option in the future.

6. Hydrogen can replace gasoline.

7. The only way of obtaining the cleanest hydrogen is through electrolysis.

Procedure

1. Repeat the experiment at least five times for each electrolysis.

2. Record your observation carefully.

Conclusion

In this experiment, we determined the efficiency of various electrolytes in harnessing hydrogen through electrolysis.

VIVA Questions With Answers

Q.1 What was the aim of your experiment?

ANS. We aimed to determine the most efficient electrolyte for hydrogen production through electrolysis.

Q.2 Which electrolytes produced the most hydrogen?

ANS. Lye was the one that produced the most hydrogen.

Q.3 Which electrolytes produced the least hydrogen?

ANS. Calcium chloride produced the least amount of hydrogen.

Saquib Siddiqui

Saquib Siddiqui is a Mechanical Engineer and a content creator. He has special interest in science experiments and teaches the same to school and college students. He is also a technical lead at RUDE LABS PVT. LTD.