How does oxygen form at the anode during the electrolysis of sodium sulfate solution?

1 Answer
Andrea B.
Jan 18, 2018

see below

Explanation:

During electrolysis, at the anode it will form the specie that has the lower redox potential and that need the lower energy.
In a water solution you have as anions and as anodic reactions :
#4OH^- = 4 e + O_2 + 2 H_2O# with
# E = (1,23-0,06 pH) V#
and at pH about 7, E = 0,81 V
and
#2SO_4^(2-)= 2e + S_2O_8^2- # with E= 2,01 V
hence you will have #O_2#

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