Electrochemical and Electrolysis Cell

Now let us look at the electrolysis cell, which is also referred to as the electrolytic cell. An electrolysis cell contains three elements an electrolyte, a cathode, and an anode. The electrolyte is typically a solution of water or other solvent in which ions are dissolved or molten salts such as potassium chloride. Charge-transferring reactions take place at electrodes when an external voltage is applied to the electrodes the ions in the electrolyte flow to and from the electrodes. The decomposition of a normally stable or inert chemical compound in the solution takes place only if the applied external electrical potential is of correct polarity and large enough magnitude. 

It should be noted that the electrodes are inert that is, they are not consumed, nor is there any deposition on them. In general, reactions 1 and 2 

Electrolysis cell, (a) Molten salt electrolyte, (b) Aqueous electrolytes solution. 

The following are key differences between a voltaic and an electrolysis cell  

In a voltaic cell, electrons flow from the negative electrode to the positive electrode, whereas in an electrolysis cell, the electrons flow from the positive to the negative electrode. 

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