MINI RESEARCH

Production Of Hydrogen Gas From A Solution Of Salt, Bicarbonic Acid, Vinegar And
Water By Electrolysis Method

Arranged to fulfill the task

Course : Non-Metallic Chemistry

Lecturer : Dr.Iis Siti Jahro, M.Si

arranged:

Name : Edi Wardana Naibaho (4173131007)

Dwi Retno Ambar K.N (4173131006)

Elisabeth Grace Damanik (4173131008)

Ulfa Sari Ramadianti (17035169)

Class : Chemsitry Education 2017

Course : Non-Metalic Chemistry

BILINGUAL CHEMICAL EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM

CHEMICAL DEPARTMENT

FACULTY OF MATH AND SCIENCE

UNIVERSITAS NEGERI MEDAN

MEDAN

2018/2019
 A. Experiment Title
Production Of Hydrogen Gas From A Solution Of Salt, Bicarbonic Acid, Vinegar
And Water By Electrolysis Method.

B. Time And Place

This research was conducted on 13 September 2019 at 13.50 to finished in the
bilingual study program building.

C. Theoretical Basis
The atmosphere is polluted by plenty of greenhouse gases; SOx, NOx, CO2 and CO
from hydrogen production by hydrocarbon source that are fossil fuel sources which can
affect seriously the ecosystem. Hence the clean technology is needed for production of
hydrogen that can be achieved if hydrogen is produced by renewable source like water
electrolysis and no emission of SOx, NOx, CO2 and CO will be possible and to achieve
“hydrogen economy” (Ball, 2009).
Hydrogen is by far the most abundant element in the universe (and the sun) and is
the third most abundant element in the Earth’s crust (primarily in its compounds). The
element occurs as three isotopes: ordinary hydrogen, or protium, 1H; deuterium , 2H or
D; and tritium , 3H or T. Both 1H and 2H have stable nuclei; 3H undergoes b decay (left)
and has a half-life of 12.35 years. Naturally occurring hydrogen is 99.985% 1H and
essentially all the remainder is 2H; only traces of radioactive 3H are found on earth.
Deuterium compounds are used as solvents for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)
spectroscopy and in kinetic studies on reactions involving bonds to hydrogen (deuterium
isotope effects). Tritium is produced in nuclear reactors by bombardment of 6Li nuclei
with neutrons (left). Tritium has applications as a tracer—for example, to study the
movement of ground water—and to study the ab sorption of hydrogen by metals and the
ad sorption of hydrogen on metal surfaces. Tritium also has been used as an energy source
for “tritium watches” and other timing devices (Miessler, 2014).
Hydrogen is a basic chemical that is used in many industrial processes in chemical
and petrochemical industry, fertilizer production, glass productio, oil refining and
metallurgical processes. The projected hydrogen economy is based on hydrogen use as a
fuel and energy carrier medium (Dincer, 2016).
For hydrogen production, water electrolysis has its various merits like pollution free
process if renewable energy sources use purity of high degree, very simple process and

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plenty of resources [17]. Water electrolysis is an around 200 year old technology; around
1800 AD the principle demonstrated by experiment by J. W. Ritter in Germany. In the
same year William Nicholson and Anthony Carlise decompose water into hydrogen and
oxygen in England. The application of this technology started to use after tens of year.
The French military in 1890 AD constructed a water electrolysis unit to generate
hydrogen for use in airships by Charles Renard (Rashid et. al, 2015).
Water contains two kinds of compounds that can be used as fuel, they are hydrogen (H2)
and oxygen (O2). There are many methodes done by scientist in research, one of them is
by using electrolysis methode. It can be done by breaking or changing the water bond
(H2O) into its constituent compound H2, which is flammable and O2, which helps the
combustion reaction.

Electrolysis occurs when an electric current flows through an ionic compound and
undergoes a chemical reaction. Electrolyte solution can conduct electricity because it
contains many ions that move freely. These ions will conduct the electric current with the
solution. The electric conductance in electrolyte solution happens when the direct current
source gives a different charge for the two electrodes. The cathode (electrode that is
connected with negative pole) will have a negative charge, whereas the anode (electrode
that is connect with positive pole) will have a positive charge. The certain species (ion,
molecule or atom) in the solution will take the electrons in cathode, whereas other species
will release the electrons to the anode. Then electrons will be flown to the cathodes by
direct electric source.

Water electrolysis is a decomposing of water molecule (H2O) become hydrogen (H2)

and oxygen (O2) gases by using electric current that flows within the water solution. In
the cathode, two of water molecules react by catching two electrons, then reduced
becomes H2 gas and hydroxide ion (OH-). Meanwhile in the anode, two other water
molecule will be decomposed become oxygen gas (O2), to release 4H+ ions and conduct
the electrons to the cathode. The H+ and OH- ions will be neutralized to form some water
molecules back.

Here are some reactions happen in the water electrolysis:

Reaction in the anode:

Reaction that occurs in positive pole (anode) is an oxydation reaction.

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For pH of acid water

Anode (oxydation): 2H2O(l) → O2(g) + 4H+(aq) + 4e– E0 ox = 1.23 volt

For pH of base water or neutral

Anode: 4OH-(aq) → O2(g) + 2H2O(l) + 4e- E0 ox = -2,076 volt

If in the anode uses uninnert metal like aluminum, it will be oxidized become its ion.

Al(s) → Al3+(aq) + 3e-

If in the anode uses innert metal like Pt, it will not be oxidized. The thing that will oxidized
is anion (negative ions). For example in I- metal ion, the reaction is:

2I-(aq) → I2(s) + 2e-

Reaction in cathode:

Reaction that occurs in the negative pole (cathode) is a reduction reaction.

For pH of acid water

Cathode (reduction): 2H+(aq) + 2e- → H2(g) E0 red = 0 volt

For pH of base water or neutral

Cathode: 2H2O(l) + 2e → H2 (g) + OH-(aq) E0 red = -0.828 volt

If the solution contains positive ions (cation), this metal cation will be reduced become
its each metal and the metal formed will be precipitated in the cathode stick surface.

Fe+(aq) + e- → Fe(s)

Na+(aq) + e- → Na(s)

Ca2+ (aq) + 2e- → Ca(s)

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 D. Experiment Objectives
From this mini research, students should be able to:
1. Identify the compounds or materials that can produce hydrogen gas in a big
amount.
2. Identify the compounds or materials that can produce hydrogen gas in a least
amount.
3. Determine the compounds or materials that can produce hydrogen gas in a safest
work process.
4. Determine the compounds or materials that can produce hydrogen gas in a easiest
work process.
5. Determine the compounds or materials that can produce hydrogen gas in a
cheapest work process.
6. Determine the factors that can influence the result of hydrogen gas production

E. Research Methods
This research was conducted on 13 September 2019 in the bilingual study program
building. This research uses electrolysis method to obtain hydrogen gas using 2 pairs of
electrodes (1 for the anode and 1 for the cathode). Electrodes used are made from iron.
Electrolyte solutions are used as many as four types, first salt solution, sodium
bicarbonate solution vinegar solution and water. The solution will be poured into a
container that has been fitted with electrode rods, both electrodes will be electric current
flowing 9 volts so that the process of formation of gas compounds will occur, after 10
minutes the formed gas will flow in the pipes that have been installed at each the container
in each electrode and gas will be tube in a balloon that is connected directly to the
hydrogen gas conduit. Meanwhile, to measure the amount of hydrogen gas produced is
to measure the diameter of the balloon that already contains hydrogen gas.
a) Electrolysis reaction with salt solutions
Prepare an electrolysis container with two electrode rods installed. Dissolve
25 grams of salt into 750 mL of water, pour the electrolyte solution into the
electrolytic container, then close the container and conduct electricity on
each electrode rod, wait for 10 minutes for the reaction process of hydrogen
gas compounds to the cathode, then measure the diameter of the balloon
containing gas hydrogen using yarn, then determine the actual diameter
using a ruler.

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 b) Electrolysis reaction with sodium bicarbonate solution
Prepare an electrolysis container with two electrode rods installed. Dissolve
25 grams of bicarbonic acid into 750 mL of water, pour the electrolyte
solution into the electrolytic container, then close the container and conduct
electricity on each electrode rod, wait for 10 minutes for the formation
process of hydrogen gas compounds to the cathode, then measure the
diameter of the balloon containing hydrogen gas using a yarn, then,
determine the actual diameter using a ruler.
c) Electrolysis reaction with water
Prepare an electrolysis container with two electrode rods installed. Pour 750
mL of electrolyte water into the electrolytic container, then close the
container and conduct electricity on each electrode rod, wait for 10 minutes
for the formation process of hydrogen gas compounds to the cathode, then
measure the diameter of the balloon containing hydrogen gas using a thread,
then, determine actual diameter using a ruler.
d) Electrolysis reaction with vinnegar solution
Prepare an electrolysis container with two electrode rods installed. Dissolve
25 mL of vinegar into 750 mL of water, pour the electrolyte solution into the
electrolytic container, then close the container and conduct electricity on
each electrode rod, wait for 10 minutes for the formation process of hydrogen
gas compounds to the cathode, then measure the diameter of the balloon
containing gas hydrogen using yarn, then, determine the actual diameter
using a ruler.

F. Discussion Of Research Results

in this discussion, we compare that H2 gas produced from salt solution is more than
other substances. (vinegar / baking soda). this happens because salt is a strong electrolyte
so that when an experiment is tested, the electrolyte is fully ionized. added with a strong
electric current makes the H2 that is produced even greater.

compared to vinegar and baking soda (containing sodium carbonate) in electrolysis

experiments, they just produce little Hidrogen Gas because they are week electrolyte,
week electrolyte will not be full ionized

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G. Conclusion
From this research, we can conclude :
1. Salt (sodium chloride) solution produces the hydrogen gas in a big ammount,
2. Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) solution produces the hydrogen gas in a least
amount. Water doesn’t even produce the hydrogen gas,
3. Electrolysis is a safest method to produce hydrogen gas because all materials
that we used (salt solution, baking soda solution, vinegar solution and water) are
safety,
4. Salt (sodium chloride) solution produces the hydrogen gas in a big amount with
easiest work process,
5. All materials that we used (salt solution, baking soda solution, vinegar solution
and water) are easy to find in daily life and also cheap,
6. The factors that influences the result of hydrogen gas production in electrolysis
method are the strength of electrolyte (strong electrolyte or weak electrolyte),
the ionization of solution and the energy source.

H. References

Ball M, Wietschel M. 2009. The Future of Hydrogen-Opportunities and Challenges.

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. Vol 34. Page 615–627

Dincer, Ibrahim. 2016. Suistainable Hydrogen Production. Amsterdam: Elsevier.

Miessler, Gary L. 2014. Inorganic Chemistry. Fifth Edition. Germany: Pearson

Education.

Rashid, MD Mamoon et al. 2015. Hydrogen Production by Water Electrolysis: A

Review of Alkaline Water Electrolysis, PEM Water Electrolysis and High
Temperature Water Electrolysis. International Journal of Engineering and
Advanced Technology. Volume-4 Issue-3.