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Electrocatalysis of Chlorine Evolution

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Encyclopedia of Applied Electrochemistry

Electrochemical Production of Chlorine

The production of chlorine by electrochemical oxidation of chlorides (chlor–alkali technology, CAT) is nowadays one of the largest processes in industrial electrochemistry. The process, which spends two moles of electricity (2 F), is based on the following stoichiometric equation:

$$ \begin{array}{ll} 2\mathrm{ NaCl} + 2{{\mathrm{ H}}_2}\mathrm{ O} + 2F\ \\ \quad \to\ \mathrm{ C}{{\mathrm{ l}}_2} + 2\mathrm{ NaOH} + {{\mathrm{ H}}_2} \end{array} $$
(1)

The main products – chlorine and the corresponding hydroxide – are, besides sulfuric acid and ammonia, the most important industrial inorganic chemicals. The third product – hydrogen (as a by-product) – is very valuable from the standpoints of contemporary power sources (“hydrogen economy;” fuel cells) and different industrial synthesis (mostly organic).

Historical Overview

Although the possibility of electrolytic decomposition of sodium chloride was indicated by W. Cruikshank back in 1800, the...

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, University of Belgrade, Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, Karnegijeva 4, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia

    Branislav Ž. Nikolić

  2. University of Belgrade, Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy, Njegoševa 12, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia

    Vladimir Panić

Authors
  1. Branislav Ž. Nikolić
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  2. Vladimir Panić
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Correspondence to Branislav Ž. Nikolić .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Eppstein, Germany

    Gerhard Kreysa

  2. Yokohama National University, Fac. Engineering, Yokohama, Japan

    Ken-ichiro Ota

  3. Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Robert F. Savinell

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Nikolić, B.Ž., Panić, V. (2014). Electrocatalysis of Chlorine Evolution. In: Kreysa, G., Ota, Ki., Savinell, R.F. (eds) Encyclopedia of Applied Electrochemistry. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6996-5_397

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