In the electrometallurgy of aluminium, a fused mixture of purified alumina (Al2O3), cryolite (Na3AlF6) and fluorspar (CaF2) is electrolysed. In this electrolysis, graphite is used as the anode and graphite-lined iron is used as the cathode. During the electrolysis, Al is liberated at the cathode, while CO and CO2 are liberated at the anode, according to the following equation.
If a metal is used instead of graphite as the anode, then O2 will be liberated. This will not
only oxidise the metal of the electrode, but also convert some of the Al liberated at the
cathode back into Al2O3. Hence, graphite is used for preventing the formation of O2 at theanode. Moreover, graphite is cheaper than other metals.
