Joe
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Electrodes
What is the best material to use for electrodes that is commonly available that won't oxidize when used in electrolysis? I've tried
stainless steel coated in cadmium(galvanized), and am trying zinc plated bolts currently. I heard nickel is a good one but isn't available
locally.
[Edited on 25-3-2005 by Joe]
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Dave Angel
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Hey, it's funny, I've just posted about my electrolysis experiment today in which I mentioned the used of graphite over copper, but it
depends on your purpose. I've found that graphite is fairly resistant; in the case of acetate ions it's preferable to copper at least, but
it was attacked in an ancient experiment I performed with NaCl solution.
Give it a go though; you may have more luck with your experiment!
One good thing about a graphite electrode is that if it does get attacked, whilst some may go into solution as who-knows-what, most of it tends to
flake off as a pile of insoluble rubbish that can be filtered off.
I have just been considering myself that one could go a bit more up-market and visit a jewellers, who may sell scrap noble metals, or better yet be
able to craft them into electrodes:
"Can you make them into rods with holes at the top please?" 
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12AX7
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Bah, graphite is cheap as heck. Go down to your local welding store and ask for gouging rods, 1/8" to 3/8" dia. or so. Usually copper
plated for conductivity (since they are supposed to be passing 50-300 amperes...) but that can be stripped off.
Tim
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fishy1
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what would you recommed for NAOH electrolysis?
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12AX7
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To what purpose?
Is NaOH the electrolyte, or are you making it say from NaCl?
Besides graphite of course, stainless seems to work well in NaOH electrolyte. LOL
Tim
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neutrino
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For strong bases, you definitely want nickel. It’s about the only common material that is completely resistant to these things at elevated
temperatures. For nickel crucibles, try Cynmar.
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Madandcrazy
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neutrino,
nickel crucibles completely resistant to all these processes ?
Cynmar a chemsource of you ?
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neutrino
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If I understood you, yes and yes.
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BromicAcid
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Which country do you live in, for a good nickel source the indigenous currency can occasionally provide, even in the US some currency still has a high
nickel precentage and as such can serve as an electrode in basic mediums.
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The_Davster
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Canadian nickels with the date between 1955 and 1981 are pure nickel.
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