I want to apply a difunctional electrode in H-type two-electrode cell. I would want to know that if there is any way to use different pH electrolytes in the H-type two-electrode cell? Like 0.5 M H2SO4 on one side, 1M KOH on the other side? If there is possible, which ion exchange membrane should I choose?
And I am looking for an article which topic is about organic oxidation at the anode in 1M KOH and hydrogen generation at the cathode in 0.5M H2SO4. I appreciate that if you could tell me the name of similar articles.
Dear Haoyue Zhang,
Can you deliver a better description of your system? Are you performing potentiometric measurements or promoting chemical reactions with the electrical current?
Ademario Junior
Dear Ademario Junior,
Thanks for your attention. This is the scheme of my system. One side is the electrochemical reaction of oxidation of organic in 1M KOH，the other side is the electrochemical reaction of hydrogen generation in 0.5 M H2SO4. I was wondering if there possible to set such a system? The pH of two side electrolytes would not change during the electrorecation? If this could happen, which membrane should I choose for this H-type two electrodes system? I appreciate that if you could provide any article about such two electrodes system with different pH electrolyte.
Dear Haoyue Zhang,
I think it is possible, yes. The pH could change and you could follow its changing with an independent pH-combined electrode. However, you could also use a buffer to keep a steady pH on each side, although you must be careful with the kind of buffer on each side and the buffer concentration you should use. When you say membrane, do you mean a salt bridge? You must check whether the agar salt bridge could resist the pH conditions you aim to use, but it is the most common solution I can remember. I have used them with my students in lab classes and they work very well. Again, you must carefully choose the salt that you will mix with the agar when you prepare the salt bridge. The bridge can be just a tube that you can dive each end in each solution. You can even store the bridge in the fridge with the ends immersed in salt solutions and use it again, although I would recommend not to change sides when you use the bridge again to avoid pollute each side of your system with the ions of the other side.
Ademario Junior
Dear Ademario Junior,
Thank you for your answer . It helps me a lot. I would try to apply a salt bridge in the two electrodes system.
I hope everything goes well with your work
Ok. I hope everything goes well. If you don't mind, I would be glad to know whether my suggestions worked for you, if you try to implement them. You can send me a private message if you will.
Ademario Junior Hi~I hope that you remember this question. I think that I may have found a simpler solution to achieve different pH solution in a H-type two-electrode system. It will be working to add a membrane in acid/alkaline water electrolysis. Anion membranes (AEM)like NF117 or NF 115 can be applied to this system. If you are interested in this, here is an article that can be referred to.
Q. Lei, B. Wang and P. Wang et al. / Journal of Energy Chemistry 38 (2019) 162–169
I hope everything goes well~
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