In Castner-Kellner cell for production of sodium hydroxide
- brine is electrolyzed using graphite electrodes
- molten sodium chloride is electrolysed
- sodium amalgam is formed at mercury cathode
- brine is electrolyzed with Pt electrodes
Answer
(3) sodium amalgam is formed at mercury cathode
Solution
As per NCERT, sodium hydroxide is prepared commercially by the electrolysis of sodium chloride (brine) in Castner-Kellner cell using a mercury cathode and a carbon anode.
At cathode: Na+ + e- Hg Na-amalgam
At anode: Cl- 12Cl2 + e-
The amalgam is then treated with water: 2Na-amalgam + 2H2O 2NaOH + 2Hg + H2
Answer: (3)