I allowed the reaction to proceed until the piece which was serving as the anode had completely dissolved, to the point where the remaining scrap of electrode was no longer in contact with the surface of the solution. At this point the circuit between the electrodes was broken. I observed then that the electrode which had been serving as the cathode then reverted to the anode function and began to decompose rapidly by oxidation as had the other electrode. Within a short amount of time this former cathode had also totally decomposed.
My conclusion from this experiment was that, under the right conditions, two pieces of the same metal, identical for the intents and purposes of this experiment, could indeed develop a potential difference between them, of a sufficient magnitude to cause electrolysis to take place spontaniously. The main drawback in this case being that; in order for the reaction to proceed spontaneously, one or ultimately both of the electrodes had to be sacrificed. Since this particular reaction would seem to offer neither the cost efficiency or ease of maintenance that I have decided are two of the main requirements for a successful, commercial hydrogen source, I did not pursue this reaction any further with these particular reactants other than to repeat it with the addition of a 12v fluctuating DC power source. I noted that gas output increases but so did the rate of decomposition. I noted that the phenomenon of Cathodic Protection, as observed in this setup was again present and might prove useful at some future point in my research.
Experiment #2: For this experiment I waanted to test the validity of my theory that two pieces of the same metal, unreactive to the electrolite in a solution, could still produce a potential difference between them if one of the electrodes was substantially larger than the other and therefore had more free electrons than the smaller one.
From a piece of non-ferrous stainless I cut one piece 1/2" x 4"
x 1/8" and another
6" x 4" x 1/8". I then bent the larger piece into a cyllinder, 4" high
and placed it inside an 8oz container. It pretty much lined the inside
perimiter of the container. I then filled the container with an electrolyte/water
solution with 25% NaOH/KOH as the electrolyte and 75% water.
I then fastened the smaller electrode to a piece of wooden dowel
rod and using the rod as a crossmember. I then dangled the smaller electrode
inyo the center of the cell.