Electrolysis Driving Nonspontaneous Chemical Reactions with Electricity

8 Electrolysis Driving Nonspontaneous Chemical Reactions with Electricity 

In a voltaic cell, a spontaneous redox reaction produces electrical current. In an electrolytic cell, electrical current drives an otherwise nonspontaneous redox reaction through a process called electrolysis. We have seen that the reaction of hydrogen with 

Electrical current can decompose water into hydrogen and oxygen gas. 

Recall from the previous section that one of the problems associated with the widespread adoption of hydrogen fuel cells is the scarcity of hydrogen. Where will the hydrogen to power these fuel cells come from One possible answer is to obtain hydrogen from water through solar-powered electrolysis. 

A solar-powered electrolytic cell can produce hydrogen from water when the sun is shining. The hydrogen made in this way could be converted back to water to generate electricity and could also be used to power fuel-cell vehicles. 

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