The Science Behind Hydrogen Hybrid Cars – The Equations Of Electrolysis

by

Allan Michael Taylor

The essential source of power in hydrogen hybrid cars is the simple enough hydrogen fuel cell. It is a fairly simple battery, which mainly carries out the electrolysis of water. As you read this, you might a lot from your high school chemistry days and it in fact is not rocket science.

At present, we know that water on its own is not a good conductor of electricity. Nonethless, we need to add some electrolyte in order to improve the performance of our hydrogen fuel cell. Reularly, strong acids such as sulphuric acid and strong bases like sodium and potassium hydroxides are used as electrolytes. Of course, you can pick an electrolyte of your preference but for that, you have to reconise the electrochemical properties of the ions that would be present in the chosen electrolyte. To put it in the simplest likely words, you would have to select an electrolyte whose anion has more usual electrode potential than that of hydroxide (so that the hydroxide is able to oxidise and make oxygen). Next is a cation with a standard electrode potential lower than hydrogen so that it is reduced as required. When you choose an acid, the cation is hydrogen. Nheless, the opposition between the hydrogen and the cation for reduction is mechanically eradicated.

So, now that we have boosted the electric flow in the cell, what exactly happens in it? Well, as previously mentioned, this is an oxidation and reduction method. Rust is a process where an ion decrease electrons and reduction is a procedure in which, an ion gains electrons. Oxidation happens at the anode (the positive electrode) and reduction at the cathode (the negative electrode). Because of this reaction, oxygen is produced at the anode and hydrogen at the cathode.

The following course happens at the anode:

2H2O(l) O2(g) (+) 4H+(aq) + 4e

The electrons are given to the cathode and the following result happens, implementing the circuit:

2H+(aq) + 2e H2(g)

These equations are identified as half equations, which you then balance with a base or an acid. Let us regard as balancing them with a base (OH- group):

Cathode:

2H2O(l) + 2e H2(g) + 2OH (aq)

Anode:

4OH (aq) O2(g) (+) 2H2O(l) + 4e

By combining the two half reactions, you get the equation for the whole reaction happening in the fuel cell, which is:

2H2O(l) 2H2(g) (+) O2(g)

Since this is in reality the electrolysis of water, you will get the two gases in the comparative amounts they are found in water. This means, you will always get twice as much of hydrogen as oxygen.

For the reaction to happen, the optimum circumstances are not normal temperature and pressure. In reality, to increase the effectiveness of the hydrogen fuel cell, you will have to influence these conditions. High temperature increases competence by providing energy to the electrolysis system. The pressure may be increased at the hydrogen output end. This lessens the internal energy used and finishes the need to use another compressor.

The final performance car – Lexus LS 600h has all these basic scientific systems. Due to these, we get the highly famous hybrid cars.

Danny Green is a car specialist. The

Lexus IS

is a luxury car. Check out new features and changes in the new model 2009.

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