水的电解是通过电流通过水（H₂O）分解成其组成元素氧气（O₂）和氢气（H₂）。在阴极，两个水分子被还原形成氢气和氢氧根离子。在阳极，两个水分子被氧化形成氧气、质子和电子。
水的电解
1800-05-02
- William Nicholson
- Anthony Carlisle
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The decomposition of pure water into hydrogen and oxygen is a thermodynamically unfavorable process, requiring external energy in the form of electricity. Pure water is a poor conductor of electricity, so an electrolyte, such as a small amount of a soluble salt or an acid like sulfuric acid, is typically added to increase conductivity. The overall balanced equation for the reaction is [latex]2H_2O(l) \rightarrow 2H_2(g) + O_2(g)[/latex].
The process occurs in an electrolytic cell. At the negatively charged cathode, a reduction reaction takes place: [latex]2H_2O(l) + 2e^- \rightarrow H_2(g) + 2OH^-(aq)[/latex]. At the positively charged anode, an oxidation reaction occurs: [latex]2H_2O(l) \rightarrow O_2(g) + 4H^+(aq) + 4e^-[/latex]. The production of hydrogen gas at the cathode is exactly twice the volume of oxygen gas produced at the anode, a direct consequence of the stoichiometry of water. This 2:1 volume ratio is a classic demonstration in chemistry classrooms, often performed using a Hofmann voltameter.
The minimum voltage required for electrolysis to occur, known as the decomposition potential, is 1.23 V at standard conditions. However, in practice, a higher voltage, called 过电位, is needed to overcome various activation barriers. The efficiency of water electrolysis is a key factor in the viability of a hydrogen-based economy, with significant research focused on developing more effective and cheaper catalysts for the anode and cathode to reduce the overpotential and energy consumption.
UNESCO Nomenclature: 2406
- 电化学
类型
化学工艺
中断
实质性
使用方法
广泛使用
前体
- 亨利·卡文迪什发现氢
- 卡尔·威廉·舍勒和约瑟夫·普里斯特利发现氧气
- invention of the voltaic pile by alessandro volta
应用
- 用于燃料电池和汽车的氢气生产
- 生产用于医疗和工业用途的高纯度氧气
- 潜艇和航天器中的生命支持系统
- 焊接和切割炬（氢氧）
- 氘（重水）的生产
专利：
NA
潜在的创新想法
Related to: water electrolysis, hydrogen production, oxygen production, decomposition, cathode, anode, hofmann voltameter, green hydrogen.
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历史背景
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