I'm new to chemistry and first I'd like to say, NO, I'm not trying to plate out sodium metal, in an aqueous solution, that's just ridiculous, lol(though I did see something on KOH but the product was less than desirable).

I am however trying to knock  CO_2(g) Off and synth NaOH. Is that even possible?

The way I see the reaction carrying out is:

NaHCO₃  +  H₂O -> 

@Anode: CO_2(g) + O_2(g) + 2H⁺ ,

@Cathode: NaOH + H2(g) + OH^-

Is that correct?

 

1 hour ago, bedroomScience said:

I am however trying to knock  CO_2(g) Off and synth NaOH. Is that even possible?

If production of NaOH is aim, wouldn't it be simpler to heat NaHCO₃.. ? At high enough temperature it will start decomposition (above 50 C).

2NaHCO₃ → Na2CO₃ + H₂O + CO₂

"If anhydrous sodium carbonate is heated, loss in weight — due to dissociation and volatilization — begins at 400° C (752° F). Carbon dioxide is evolved as indicated by the reaction equation. Na2CO3 → Na2O + CO2 The following table lists the decomposition pressure at various temperatures."

Na₂O + H₂O → 2NaOH

Edited January 18, 20196 yr by Sensei

4 minutes ago, Sensei said:

If production of NaOH is aim, wouldn't it be simply heat NaHCO₃.. ? At high enough temperature it will start decomposition (above 50 C).

2NaHCO₃ → Na2CO₃ + H₂O + CO₂

 

Wow, completely forgot that I could do that. It's too late, I already have it in electrolysis for a few days now. The Idea was to produce NaOH + PbO₂(anode layer). I've had it at 5V, Pb Anode, Cu Cathode (PbO₂ layer formed in solution as anticipated).

So does not starting with thermal decomposition change the product (IDK, NaCO₄ maybe)?

The reason I ask is because I reacted it with MgSO₄ and it immediately precipitated what appears to be Mg(OH)_2. The precipitation was fast, unlike NaHCO_3, but there was gas release. So I'm wondering if that's MgCO₃

Add some drop of acid to your precipitate, do you get bubbles?

On 1/19/2019 at 12:13 PM, chenbeier said:

Add some drop of acid to your precipitate, do you get bubbles?

No, gas release from the precipitate. It just turns back into MgSO4.

Then it is no Carbonate.

That's what I thought. No CO2 during precipitation or reaction of precipitate means -OH right?