What chemicals result from the electrolysis of pure water using sodium bicarbonate as the electrolyte?
First things first. It can’t be pure water if it contains sodium bicarbonate. You will produce hydrogen gas and oxygen gas, and the sodium and bicarbonate ions will stay in solution. 2H2O –electricity–> 2H2 + O2 Hydrogen gas is produced at the cathode. 2H2O + 2e- –> H2 + 2OH- At the cathode hydroxide ions are also being produced which will react with bicarbonate ion OH- + HCO3- –> HOH + CO3= At the anode, oxygen gas is produced, along with hydrogen ions. 2H2O –> O2 + 4H+ + 4e- Hydrogen ions may react with HCO3- to produce a small amount of H2CO3. H+ + HCO3- <==> H2CO3 There is some doubt as to whether H2CO3 even exists.
