Question

Write the equations for the reaction taking place at the cathode and at the anode during:

The electrolysis of acidified Nickel sulphate solution with NIckel electrode.

Answer 1

Part 1: Electrolysis of acidified Nickel sulphate solution:

For the electrolysis, the electrolyte used is Nickel Sulphate$\left({\mathrm{NiSO}}_4\right)$ with a few drops of dilute ${\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4$.

The ionization of the electrolyte takes place as:

$$\begin{gathered} {\mathrm{NiSO}}_4\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)\rightleftharpoons {\mathrm{Ni}}^{+2}+{\mathrm{SO}}_4^{2-} \\ \mathrm{Nickel}\mathrm{Sulphate} \\ {\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)\rightleftharpoons {\mathrm{H}}^{+}+{\mathrm{OH}}^{-} \\ \mathrm{Water} \end{gathered}$$

Part 2: Reactions involved:

1. Reaction at the cathode: ${\mathrm{Ni}}^{+2}+2{\mathrm{e}}^{-}\to \mathrm{Ni}$
2. Reaction at the anode : $\mathrm{Ni}\to {\mathrm{Ni}}^{+2}+2{\mathrm{e}}^{-}$