Electrolyte

An electrolyte is a substance which dissociates free ions when dissolved (or molten), to produce an electrically conductive medium. Because they generally consist of ions in solution, electrolytes are also known as ionic solutes. They are sometimes referred to in abbreviated jargon as lytes.

Uses in electrochemistry

The behaviour of electrolytes in electrochemistry is discussed further in the electrolysis article.

Related Topics:
Electrochemistry - Electrolysis

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Electrolytic conductors are used in electronic devices where the chemical action at a metal/electrolyte interface yields useful effects.

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• In batteries the effect is used to store energy as chemical fuel on the surface of metal plates, and the electrolyte also serves as a conductor which connects the plates electrically.
• In some fuel cells a solid electrolyte or proton conductor connects the plates electrically while keeping the hydrogen and oxygen fuel gases separated.
• In electroplating tanks, the electrolyte simultaneously deposits metal onto the object to be plated, and electrically connects that object in the circuit.
• In operation-hours gauges, two thin columns of mercury are separated by a small electrolyte-filled gap, and as charge is passed through the device, the metal dissolves on one side and plates out on the other, causing the visible gap to slowly move along.
• In electrolytic capacitors the chemical effect is used to produce an extremely thin 'dielectric' or insulating coating, while the electrolyte layer behaves as one capacitor plate.
• In some hygrometers the humidity of air is sensed by measuring the conductivity of a nearly dry electrolyte. Hot, softened glass is an electrolytic conductor, and some glass manufacturers keep the glass molten by passing a large electric current through it.