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Solar Electrolytic Cell

by cagefaraday on November 6, 2011 Table of Contents Solar Electrolytic Cell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Intro: Solar Electrolytic Cell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 1: Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 2: Fill it up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 3: Set the capacitor (optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 4: Set the Solar Cell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 5: Watch the bubbles form!! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5

http://www.instructables.com/id/Solar-Electrolytic-Cell/

Intro: Solar Electrolytic Cell

Hello, everyone! This is actually my first Instructable for the Chemical Reactions challenge, but I also want to help those looking for ways to use green energy or who are just looking for a fun project. Today I'll be showing you how to make a Solar Electrolytic Cell that splits water into hydrogen and oxygen. Good luck and enjoy!!

Step 1: Materials
Here's what you'll need for this project: - Solar Cell (preferably 1.2V or higher; you can probably get one off Amazon for $7; the one I'm using is a 6V I got from Radioshack for $16) - Cup or container (sorry that mine is so dark, it was all that I had) - Wire - Capacitor (optional; you can get one by harvesting a disposable camera) - Soldering Iron & Solder (optional; makes things WAY easier though) - Tape

http://www.instructables.com/id/Solar-Electrolytic-Cell/

Step 2: Fill it up
First off, fill your cup or container with water. I used a tiny bottle so I could carry it around.

Step 3: Set the capacitor (optional)

Wire up the capacitor by wrapping the wires or soldering them and place the wires in the water. Then, tape the capacitor to the cup or container. What's cool about the capacitor is that while it's in the water, even in total darkness, it prevents the hydrogen and oxygen from recombining into water by keeping the electricity released when the two recombine in place.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Solar-Electrolytic-Cell/

Step 4: Set the Solar Cell

Put the wires of the solar cell in the water and place the assembly in a well-lit area. Solar cells can sometimes conduct electricity using artificial light from light bulbs instead of sunlight. Soon the cell will produce an electric current and begin to split the water by means of a process called electrolysis. Electrolysis is a type of decomposition reaction caused by adding electricity. The electricity splits the water into hydrogen and oxygen, hydrogen forming on the negative wire, and oxygen forming on the positive.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Solar-Electrolytic-Cell/

Step 5: Watch the bubbles form!!

After a few minutes, bubbles should begin to form on the wires, hydrogen on the negative and oxygen on the positive. After about 20 minutes, it should be covered in bubbles. If you remove the assembly and hook wires up to the water, electricity should be released as the water recombines, but I was unable to show it because I don't have a multimeter. I might redo the experiment with a more advanced assembly. If anyone else has tried my experiment and did use a meter, please post it in the comments! I'm happy to have help in building on this project!

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kretzlord says:

Nov 6, 2011. 10:16 PM REPLY A nice, scalable, concept. Do you have any applications for this yet? Also, i'm not an expert on electrolysis, but i'm fairly certain that for the water to recombine, you need to add energy (ie heat), or have a catalyst (as seen in hydrogen cars). *fun idea* adjust your water container to accept a balloon on the top so you can fill it with a perfect molar ratio of H and O. When the balloon fills up, tie the end, then tape on a piece of cannon fuse. Light. Release. Plug your ears. and only do that under competent adult supervision....

ironsmiter says:

Nov 6, 2011. 10:05 PM REPLY Once the gases split, you don't need ANY electricity to keep them from reverting to water. So the capacitor is a frivolous add on for this circuit. The 2 H2O(l)?2 H2(g)+O2(g) reaction , when reversed, produces HEAT energy aka it's flaming gasses! No measurable electricity produced. Although the chemical reaction SEEMS simple enough... there are actually a few half-reactions involved, that prevent a true two-way reaction. That's why you need flame/spark to reverse the equation. It is just for the sake of simplicity and brevity, that we write the equation the way we do. Also note, PURE water(distilled, de-ionized) will NOT work, especially at the low voltages produced though consumer grade solar-voltaic cells. Final experimenters note. Never EVER run this with the cap on. When the water being split is in an enclosed container, what you have is a BOMB! :-) Sure, that can be fun in and of itself, but you need to treat it as such. To help stave off arguments... here's the half-reactions ACTUALLY involved(well, ONE of them, as best explained by http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrolysis_of_water) 2 H2O(l) ? O2(g) + 4 H+(aq) + 4e? 2 H+(aq) + 2e? ? H2(g)

http://www.instructables.com/id/Solar-Electrolytic-Cell/