Академический Документы
Профессиональный Документы
Культура Документы
1stQuarter SY 2017-2018
Transference Number
1
Diamante, April Joyce; Dilvianey Elu, Rianto; Esguerra, Marc Jazer; Foylogna, Yzra-Rachel;
1
Students, CHM171L /B11, School of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Mapúa Institute of Technology
ABSTRACT
Transference number is the fraction of the total current carried by an ion during electrolysis. Different ions carry different fraction of the
current because different ions move at different speed under the same condition and process. The purpose of this experiment is to
determine the transference number of hydrogen and nitrate ions and to relate it with ionic size and mobility, Hittorf’s method was used in
this experiment to estimate the transference number of the hydrogen and nitrate ions, Hittorf’s principles stated that the concentration
changes occur around the electrodes due to the migration of ions. The movements of these ions vary with their size, the smaller the ion,
the faster it travels thus carrying a greater amount of current, the importance of this experiment is to help an individual to estimate the
current carry by a certain ion in electrolysis. As part of the experiment we were able to obtain the transference number of both hydrogen
and nitrate ions at temperature of 29ᵒ C and estimated a normal atmospheric pressure, and we obtained around 0.3731 and 0.6269
respectively. It may against the principle of Hittof’s, hydrogen ion should have a greater transference number due its radius or size but
we need to consider that some of the equipments used in the experiment did not work properly and we input a data which is mismatch
the assumption of the equation provided in excel. Therefore some error did appear in the final result, overall our experiment still provide
some knowledge to the reader.
INTRODUCTION
Transference number, also called ion transport number, is a the ion’s lightness in weight which allows it to move faster
dimensionless parameter that pertains to the fraction of than the larger ion.
current being transmitted by a specified ion during
electrolysis. Electrolysis occurs when current is permitted to Relating the parameters molar charge, z c F c , electric
±
pass through a liquid that contains ions. Transference
mobility constant, u± , and conductivity, k, to transference
number is a property of ions that is utilized in
number produces a new equation for transference number
electrochemical calculations as it provides information
about the contribution of a specified ion on the total charge determination. The sum of transference numbers of ions in
the solution must be equal to unity since each is a fraction
transport. It also contributes to the characterization of an
electrolyte in a way that its value varies for different ions. of unity (Levine, 2009).
This variation of transport numbers is spawned by the
difference in electronic mobility, which is the velocity z c Fc u±
t±= ±
Eq. (2)
attained by ions as they move with the electric field in a k
medium. Transference number is expressed as:
t+ + t- = 1Eq. (3)
I
t±= ± Eq. (1)
I
Where t± is the transference number of a cation or an anion, Determination of transference number can be done through
I ± is the current experienced by the ion, and I is the total emf method and Hittorf’s method. The method adopted in
current. Transference number is known to be directly this experiment was Hittorf’s method, which is based on the
proportional to mobility. Mobility, however, is based on the changes occurring on both regions of the anode and
size of the ion. Mobility is dependent on ionic size in a way cathode. Electrolysis in Hittorf’s method is carried out in a
that as the latter decreases, the mobility increases due to cell with three compartments namely: anode, central, and
cathode. After the electrolysis has proceeded, analysis
MW NO −¿
(∆ ncathode −∆ nanode) Other Reagents used are 0.5M Copper sulfate-sulfuric acid
t −¿¿= 3
¿ Eq. (5)
z( ∆ manode −∆ mcathode ) mixture, acetone and distilled water.
Figure1. Experimental set-up. (1) Universal Power Supply exact duration is determined. The current intensity is made
(2) Transference vessel (3) Iron stand (4) Coulometer (5) certain to constant during electrolysis.
Multirange Meter
The initial concentration of the nitric acid used is
*Source: http://www.phywe- determined by titrating 5 mL aliquot with 0.1 molar of
es.com/index.php/fuseaction/download/lrn_file/versuchsanl Sodium Hydroxide. Methyl Red is used as the indicator. To
eitungen/P3060401/e/lec06_04_lv.pdf use the time efficiently, electrolysis and titration were done
simultaneously.
Procedure
W1 refers to the weight of the copper plate before
The double U-tube was marked approximately 2cm below electrolysis while W2 refers to the weight of the said
the lateral connecting tube. This served as a basis for filling material after it has been washed with water and acetone
up the 4L beaker with water and the double u-tube with 0.1 post-electrolysis.
molar nitric acid. The Water and nitric acid were made sure
to be in the same level after the carbon electrodes were Table 2: Volumes Used, Time and Temperature
placed into the left and right side of the double u-tube. This
served as transference vessel Temperature 29ᵒ C Time 62:37:30
Volume Of NaOH Volume W tube (mL)
Coulometer is prepared. The Copper electrodes which Left 3 Left 24.7
served as cathode and anode were weighed before placing Right 2.7 right 19.8
onto the electrode holder with the knurled screws. A 250mL Original 2.4
beaker is filled with 0.5M Copper sulfate and Sulfuric acid
solution.
Using methyl red as an indicator, the presence of a yellow
color signifies the neutralization of a given acid sample; in
The Coulometer, Transference vessel and multirange meter this case, the nitric acid sample.
are connected in series to the Universal Power Supple as
shown in Figure 1. Electrolysis is performed between 60 to
90 mins at approximately 5mA. Using a stopwatch, the
On the other hand, Table 3 shows the only calculated in the group’s set-up, it was located at the left leg. However,
portion of the experiment, which is the determination of the adjusting the formulas to take account for this assumption
transference number. reveal the same values, further proving the error in
determining the transference value.
*Temperature: 29°C
Volume NaOH
Left 3.0
Right 2.7
Original 2.4
Volume W Tube
Left 24.7
Right 19.8
Sample Computation