How can I make a hydrolysis device?

Question

I need directions on how to make a hydrolysis device which (if you don't know) separates the oxygen and hydrogen from water using electricity. I know the science behind it, i just don't remember how to put the device together. It involves a big battery and wires and two electrodes.

Answer 1

I did it long ago with a 4.5 Volt flashlight battery, ordinary copper electrodes and tap water, and remember it was very slow. The right kind of electrodes (like graphite from a pencil or an old battery), minimum 9 Volts and adding salt to the water will speed things up. Warning : if you mix the oxygen and hydrogen, you get an explosive and inflammable gas mixture.

Answer 2

Its called electrolysis (hydrolysis is the breakdown of a chemical compound due to reaction of water with the compound). Attach a wire to each electrode (platinum), place the electrodes into your water or salt water solution, plug one wire into the + and the other to the - pole of the battery and then watch the bubbles form. Oxygen will be formed at the anode, hydrogen at the cathode. The reaction is:

2H2O → 2H2 + O2

Remember to be careful with no open flames or smoking and do this in a well-ventilated area as oxygen and hydrogen are flammable.

Answer 3

I did it once a few years ago. It worked. I used a battery from a hardware store. Copper wire. You could see the gas bubbling off. Captured the gases in upside down glasses.

Answer 4

hi wach out if you put to much salt the nacl with be electolised and cl gas will be relised i did this in my school lab and caused a big fuss with the superintendant. carbon electrodes work well and a varying powersuply. i have built many and i use them to recycle metatals from old solutions. if i didnt help email me at [e-mail] i know a good deal about chemistry and sorry about my spelling