electrolytic cell

noun

1. cell ( def 8 ).

electrolytic cell

noun

1. any device in which electrolysis occurs Sometimes shortened tocell

electrolytic cell

1. A device that contains two electrodes in contact with an electrolyte and that brings about a chemical reaction when connected to an outside source of electricity. The electrodes are made of metal or carbon, and when connected to direct current, one electrode becomes positively charged, and the other becomes negatively charged. This initiates the movement of ions in the electrolyte toward the electrodes: positive ions move toward the negative electrode and negative ions move toward the positive electrode. A chemical reaction then takes place at each electrode, with ions changing from positive to negative (or vice versa), or becoming neutralized. Electrolytic cells have many practical uses, including the recovery of pure metal from alloys, the plating of one metal with another, and the manufacture of chlorine and sodium hydroxide.
2. Compare voltaic cell

Word History and Origins

Origin of electrolytic cell¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

At Boston Metal's research facility, the steelmaking process takes place inside a squat metal cylinder called an electrolytic cell.

From Salon

If paired with alternative cathodes and new designs for the electrolytic cell, however, it would be possible to reduce electricity consumption.

From Nature

These catalysts typically sit on the cathode, one of two electrodes in an electrolytic cell containing water.

From Science Magazine

Fray said blast furnace reactions take place in three dimensions, while electrolytic cell reactions occur in effectively two dimensions.

From Scientific American

Here’s how the urine-powered generator works, as explained by the blog on the makerfaireafrica.com website: • Urine is put into an electrolytic cell, which separates out the hydrogen.

From Forbes