Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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Hydrogen Electrolysis

I've been doing many experiments with 300 milliamps 12 volts of DC power from an electrical transformer. I made upside down pop bottles to collect my hydrogen and just let the oxygen release out of the other end. The problem I have is that I use Salt (sodium chloride) as my electrolyte and this releases harmful chlorine gas which I don't want to deal with. What is an easy to obtain substitute for Salt that I could use that won't release chlorine or other harmful gasses. Thank you.

Joe Lounsbury
- Novi, Michigan, United States
2004

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Any sulphate salt should solve your problem--such as sodium sulphate or calcium sulphate. The easiest to obtain may be epsom salt [affil links] (Magnesium sulphate).

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2004

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Any soluble sulphate will do the trick, as Ted says. So use any of the Group 1A sulphates (potassium, sodium etc) and some of the Group 2A, but not calcium. Calcium sulphate is very insoluble and will not give as good electrical conductivity.

Trevor Crichton
R&D practical scientist
Chesham, Bucks, UK
2004

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I wasn't thinking, I guess. Trevor is naturally correct that my mention of calcium sulphate was inappropriate.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2004

You can also use sulfuric acid or even vinegar [in bulk on eBay or Amazon] instead of a salt.

Marcus Hahn
- Lucerne, Switzerland
2004