ELECTROLYSIS AS A TYPE OF CATALYSIS: THE SAME MECHANISM, GENERAL LAWS AND THE SINGLE NATURE OF CATALYSIS AND ELECTROLYSIS

Electrolysis throughout its history has not been studied for the relationship between the nature of electrolysis and the nature of catalysis. The article makes a generalization of catalysis and electrolysis and reveals common features for these two fundamental processes. The concept of "electron as a catalyst" substantiates that electrolysis is a type of catalysis. The catalysts in electrolysis are electrons. A comparison of the mechanisms of electrolysis and catalysis is made. The mechanisms of electrolysis and catalysis are the same type of mirror-symmetric donor-acceptor mechanisms. In these mechanisms, the transfer of electric charges is realized. Electrolysis, as a catalytic process, has characteristics that are inherent to catalysis. These characteristics are the law of rate of electrolysis, the TOF of electrolysis, and the TON of electrolysis. Catalysis and electrolysis share common laws and a common genesis of laws. Faraday's law of electrolysis follows directly from the universal law of catalysis. Confirmation of the common nature of catalysis and electrolysis has been obtained. Electrolysis, as a type of catalysis, creates prerequisites for the creation of a general theory of catalysis and electrolysis.