6.25 What is the role of graphite rod in the electrometallurgy of aluminium?
In electrometallurgy of aluminium, the mixture of alumina, cryolite and is electrolysed. Graphite is used as anode and graphite lined iron is used as the cathode. Aluminium discharge at the cathode while carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide are liberated at the anode.
If instead of graphite we use a metal rod, then dioxygen will be liberated. This will oxide the metal electrode and also convert some of to back into