Abstract The basic electroplating experiment is a required laboratory activity for senior high school students. CuSO4 solution is used as the electrolyte in the “copper plating on iron nails” experiment in the textbook. However, it is not explicitly mentioned whether Cu(NO3)2 or CuCl2 solutions can serve as alternatives. Experimental inquiry revealed that both CuCl2 and Cu(NO3)2 electrolytes induced side reactions during the electroplating process, rendering them unsuitable for classroom demonstrations. In contrast, electrolyzing the cuprammonium solution not only produced a dense and bright coating but also prevented the corrosion of the iron electrode. Nevertheless, researches revealed that Cl- was often added as an electrolyte additive in industrial production and Cu(NO3)2 was used as the electrolyte for copper refining. Consequently, this study advocates that chemistry teaching should emphasize cultivating students' capacity to pay more attention to the following aspects: the influence of specific experimental conditions on results, the selection of conditions under specific practical requirements, and the limitations and applicability of knowledge at different stages.
WEN Li-Quan, AN De-Cheng, LIU Hong-Yun. Selection of Electroplating Solution in Experiment “Copper Plating on Iron Nails”[J]. Chinese Journal of Chemical Education, 2026, 47(3): 89-94.
