Obtaing Sodium Hypochlorite

OBTATING SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE

Development: To produce sodium hypochlorite as an electrolysis oxidizer, sodium chloride is used as raw material, in order to obtain both gaseous chlorine and sodium hydroxide with the help of electrochemistry for the reaction to occur later.

Principle of electrolysis:

 

Step 1: The electrodes are classified on the one hand as an anode, where the oxidation reaction is given and on the other side as a cathode, where the reduction reaction is.

Step 2: Requires an electrolyte, in which the ions that make up the raw materials and the products that are formed in the process are dissolved.

Step 3: There is the energy source that has the function of providing electricity, which allows the transfer of electrons from the ado to the cathode. 

Electrochemical process:

• Step 1: Dissolution of sodium chloride molecules to give rise to electrolyte; positive sodium ions (Na) and negative chloride (Cl) ions and water molecules (H2O).
• Step 2: Use the electric current so that the electrodes work and electrons can be transferred between the acaode and the cathode. 
• Step 3: Particles negatively charged with chlorine are attracted to the acaod by the effect of the electricity supplied.
• Step 4: The cathode results in the semi-reaction of reduction of the H2O molecules present, which interact with the electrons from the ado.
• Step 5: After the semi-reaction of the cathode, the hydroxyl groups originate.
• Step 6: Na ions that did not take place in the oxide-reduction process interact with hydroxyl ions.

Finally, the sodium hypochlorite reaction occurs as an oxidizing agent. (Monier Gracía 2005) 

Conclusion: obtaining sodium hypochlorite by electrochemical route is characterized by its versatility in terms of operating conditions because it is normally performed in situ in order to take good advantage of the effect of this oxidizer. Similarly, it is a good alternative that is used to be able to store this substance for a certain time, as long as it is in optimal condition so that a decomposition of it does not occur.