Water can decompose into hydrogen and oxygen under the action of direct current. When an electric spark passes through a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen, they combine to form water. Both experiments show that water is composed of two elements, hydrogen and oxygen. From the experimental results, we can also know that their volume ratio is 2:1.

As early as 1800, W. Nicholson (William Nicholson) had produced oxygen and hydrogen from electrolysis of water, but it was not until 1913 that industrialization was achieved.

The composition and products of water electrolysis

A single electrolytic cell for water electrolysis consists of a cell body, anode, cathode, and separator. The tank body is mostly made of steel, the anode is a nickel-plated steel plate, the cathode is a carbon steel plate, and the diaphragm materials include polypropylene, porous nickel plate, potassium titanate fiber, etc. Water electrolysis uses an alkaline aqueous solution as the electrolyte. After direct current is applied, hydrogen is released at the cathode and oxygen is released at the anode. The hydrogen and oxygen separated by the diaphragm are separately exported using conduits.

The hydrogen produced by electrolysis is mainly used to synthesize ammonia, hardened grease, synthesize hydrochloric acid, etc. The by-product oxygen is mainly used for hydrogen-oxygen blowpipe, oxy-acetylene blowpipe, steelmaking, etc. Using hydrogen and oxygen simultaneously can reduce the production cost of water electrolysis.

Reference for the above content? Baidu Encyclopedia - Water Electrolysis