Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Sodium Metal from NaOH

caesius - 1-11-2003 at 21:05

From the NaOH datasheet:

NaOH has a melting point of 318 degrees Celsius.

How easy is it to achieve these temperatures? Is it possible to use a primus to get these temperatures?

As far as my knowledge goes the Na metal would 'form' on the cathode, can you simply "scrape this off" afterwards?

What would form at the anode, my instinct says H2, but then what of the oxygen?

Any help appreciated.

Cheers,
Ben

Polverone - 1-11-2003 at 21:51

Scrape it off the cathode? If your sodium's melting point is higher than 318 degrees C, that might be possible. Otherwise it's not that simple. Look in the existing "Sodium!" topic on this same page.