PyroPlatinum
Hazard to Self
Posts: 59
Registered: 21-2-2018
Member Is Offline
Mood: No Mood
|
|
Can Sodium Chloride electrolysis using Iron electrodes generate Chlorine gas?
Ok, i know it is a dumb question but it is something that is intriguing me so much that i wanted to ask.
Here's why i ask it:
As much of you guys know people have been using electrolysis as a way to remove rust from iron and steel tools for a while and i see it every so often
in the internet as a alternative to using acids like vinegar and phosphoric acid.
But almost always people prefer to use washing soda (sodium carbonate) as the electrolyte for the process than table salt because of a concern related
to the possible evolution of chlorine gas, that is toxic.
Then here's my doubt... i have been doing some electrolysis for a while but only regarding the production of Hypochlorite, Chlorates, and Perchlorates
and *i am not* a expert in the subject. And since i know that the production of the since mentioned compounds do produce Chlorine gas but require very
specific types of anodes like Graphite and Platinum or Mixed Metal Oxide, i'm skeptical because i never noticed any Chlorine gas being emitted by
electrolyzing(is that a real word XD) table salt using iron or steel as anodes.
So, forgive me if i am getting it wrong, but can that happen or there is no possibility and is a desnecessary concern as long you only use iron and
steel electrodes(as i think). Thanks for anyone that can solve this question.
|
|
|
Vomaturge
Hazard to Others
Posts: 285
Registered: 21-1-2018
Member Is Offline
Mood: thermodynamic
|
|
From my experience, no noticeable chlorine forms with iron or copper anodes. I've tried electrolysis of salt with these and you get a ton of opaque
matter in the water (hydroxides and maybe chlorides). After trying this so many times, I was in for a shock the first time I left a small graphite
anode cell running on a few hundred mA in my bathroom for a few minutes. The whole room smelled like chlorine! If iron electrodes make chlorine at
all, It must be many orders of magnitude less, from what I've seen. I wouldn't worry about that aspect of using salt.
|
|
|
PyroPlatinum
Hazard to Self
Posts: 59
Registered: 21-2-2018
Member Is Offline
Mood: No Mood
|
|
Quote: Originally posted by Vomaturge  | | From my experience, no noticeable chlorine forms with iron or copper anodes. I've tried electrolysis of salt with these and you get a ton of opaque
matter in the water (hydroxides and maybe chlorides). After trying this so many times, I was in for a shock the first time I left a small graphite
anode cell running on a few hundred mA in my bathroom for a few minutes. The whole room smelled like chlorine! If iron electrodes make chlorine at
all, It must be many orders of magnitude less, from what I've seen. I wouldn't worry about that aspect of using salt. |
Yeah, that sludge of iron hydroxides.. that was quite fascinating for me when i as a kid and "discovered" electrolysis by myself by sticking two iron
nails in a cup of salt water to see what could happen. I'm lucky that i didn't used graphite as electrodes lol but never ever noticed any chlorine
using iron or copper as you said too. Even aluminum i think, and lead.. but i'm not sure since i don't know if i recall it correctly.
But very interesting.. i think i'm not wrong then. Thanks.
|
|
|
Antiproton
Harmless
Posts: 5
Registered: 11-1-2019
Member Is Offline
|
|
In my experience, no. There will only be Fe hydroxides, carbonates, oxides, depending on environment and time.
Theoretically it's possible, but very rare or small percentage, for example if Fe has C in it and if you use higher voltage or current density it is
more likely. But practically no, not enough to be smelled or to damage us or environment.
Only possible at microscopic levels. And that sludge is called sol i think, like alum stuff. Can absorb large about of impurities from water. Also I
believe we can make screwdrivers by electrolysis like that. Just isolate parts via duct tape or something which are not supposed to go off. No need
for cutting metal. Could be efficient at least for small screwdrivers, they could be made from wires. Gonna post tutorial one day  .
|
|
|
PyroPlatinum
Hazard to Self
Posts: 59
Registered: 21-2-2018
Member Is Offline
Mood: No Mood
|
|
| Quote: Originally posted by Antiproton | In my experience, no. There will only be Fe hydroxides, carbonates, oxides, depending on environment and time.
Theoretically it's possible, but very rare or small percentage, for example if Fe has C in it and if you use higher voltage or current density it is
more likely. But practically no, not enough to be smelled or to damage us or environment.
Only possible at microscopic levels. And that sludge is called sol i think, like alum stuff. Can absorb large about of impurities from water. Also I
believe we can make screwdrivers by electrolysis like that. Just isolate parts via duct tape or something which are not supposed to go off. No need
for cutting metal. Could be efficient at least for small screwdrivers, they could be made from wires. Gonna post tutorial one day . |
That's a interesting perspective you have used. If we think about it, steel does have C in it. So it might produce chlorine gas at small quantities
and depending on the carbon percentage that the steel has.
But normally iron is less likely to have significant quantities of carbon in it.
And about the sludge... "Sol" ? Never heard of it XD gonna take a look.
Oh and making tools this way that you said must be really neat man! Never heard of it too but now i'm interested lol.
I've only etched some tools this way but nothing more than it.
That must be a interesting way to make soldering iron tips too!
|
|
|
![[*]](images/xpblue/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
