Producing Fe and Cu ions and oxides in water with electrolysis as artificial liquid waste

Abstract

Water - in the context of an inland water source - is complex when used as an object of research. Often when using river water samples, researchers struggle to find the desired composition. Therefore, a simple and controlled method is needed to produce test samples with specific substance compositions. This study aims to use electrolysis to produce artificial heavy metal waste. Iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) provided the electrodes and water the electrolytes. Electrolysis of water with Fe electrodes produced Fe3+ ions and Fe(OH)3 precipitation. Electrolysis of water with Cu electrodes produced Cu2+ ions and Cu(OH)2 precipitation. Electrolyte samples were collected at intervals of 30 min for 180 min and were tested with atomic absorption spectroscopy. Fe and Cu concentrations increased during electrolysis. Electrolysis can therefore be used to produce artificial heavy metal waste cheaply and on a small scale.