Electrolysis of Copper sulfate

The electrolysis of CuSO4 is carried out using active copper electrodes. The Cu(2+) ions are the only ions in the reaction as SO4(2-) ions are very stable

Copper is reduced at the cathode, following the reaction Cu(2+) + 2e(-) → Cu. The copper ions gain electrons and are reduced and copper metal is formed in the process.

At the anode, copper is oxidised following the equation Cu → Cu(2+) + 2e(-). 2 electrons are produced from the copper atoms. Copper is oxidised, which replace the ions removed from the solution at the cathode

This process is used extensively in industries to purify copper which increases conductivity, vital for electronics. Impure copper is placed at the anode and pure copper is at the cathode, and when the electrolysis occurs, the pure copper is plated to the impure, and the impurities fall to the bottom of the solution

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