Write the two half-reactions for the battery. Please include all states of matter.

Question

In recent years engineers have been working on an aluminum-air battery as an alternative energy source for electric vehicles. The battery consists of an aluminum anode, which is oxidized to solid aluminum hydroxide, immersed in an electrolyte of aqueous KOH. At the cathode oxygen from the air is reduced to hydroxide ions on an inert metal surface. Write the two half-reactions for the battery. Please include all states of matter.

A. Cathode

B. Anode

Answer 1

A. Cathode (reduction) reaction:

O₂(g) + 4H₂O(l) + 4e- ==> 4OH^-(aq)

B. Anode (oxidation) reaction:

Al(s) + 4OH^-(aq) ==> Al(OH)₄^-(s) + 3e-