HL Paper 3

Discuss the production of chlorine and sodium hydroxide from brine using a membrane cell. Include in your answer the materials used for the electrodes, the equations taking place at each electrode and why this method has replaced the mercury cell.




A fuel cell is an energy conversion device that generates electricity from a spontaneous redox reaction.

The Geobacter species of bacteria can be used in microbial fuel cells to oxidise aqueous ethanoate ions,
CH3COO(aq), to carbon dioxide gas.

State the half-equations for the reactions at both electrodes.

[2]
a.

A concentration cell is an example of an electrochemical cell.

(i) State the difference between a concentration cell and a standard voltaic cell.

(ii) The overall redox equation and the standard cell potential for a voltaic cell are:

Zn (s) + Cu2+ (aq) → Zn2+ (aq) + Cu (s)     Eθcell = +1.10 V

Determine the cell potential E at 298 K to three significant figures given the following concentrations in mol dm−3:

[Zn2+] = 1.00 × 10−4       [Cu2+] = 1.00 × 10−1

Use sections 1 and 2 of the data booklet.

(iii) Deduce, giving your reason, whether the reaction in (b) (ii) is more or less spontaneous than in the standard cell.

[3]
b.

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) convert solar energy into electrical energy.

(i) Describe how a DSSC converts sunlight into electrical energy.

(ii) Explain the role of the electrolyte solution containing iodide ions, I, and triiodide ions, I3, in the DSSC.

[4]
c.