Which works better in hydrogen generator application- potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide and why?

Additional Details

1 week ago

According to wikipedia %26quot;Potassium hydroxide is preferred over sodium hydroxide because its solutions are more conductive.%26quot; and D. Berndt, D. Spahrbier, “Batteries” in Ullmann’s Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry 2005, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim.

1 week ago

I%26#039;m talking about breaking down H2O, rather than the KHO itself.

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

better is a relative term, do you mean more economically, or more productive? placing potassium metal in water will result in the production of KOH, and H2. this is not a particularly stable reaxn, try it some time, but be sure to use small amounts of potassium...sodium hydroxide utilization requires an additional vector of electricity to be predictable productive, although, the net result is more production...pay your money and take your choice...good question, have fun, wear gloves and eye protection... old doc 50% 2 Votes

Other Answers (2)

• Why do you want a hydrogen generator? Hydrogen is a fun and dangerous gas. Hydrogen is not a fuel so it can%26#039;t be used as one. Hydrogen is a energy storage device, because we have to make it, then use it later, just like a battery.
  
  using strong caustics is dangerous too, use proper gloves and eye/face protection. 25% 1 Vote
• Both will probably react fully.
  Potassium hydroxide will react faster, but it has a higher molecular weight (for the same mass NaOH and KOH, KOH will yield less hydrogen at thermodynamic equilibrium) chem 25% 1 Vote