Electrolysis Help (Science Project)?

Question

I am working on an electrolysis project and need help finding good materials to make the water more conductive. I came across sodium and citric acid. I need something that is relatively inexpensive, fairly safe (no sodium hydroxide), and obtainable without a government license (so, if you find some great radioactive material, forget it). Also, for salt and citric acid (and whatever else you can provide) please can I have a chemical formula (I am HORRIBLE with the reactions...). Thanks

~Porsche Lee

Best answer should include formulas (NaCl + H2O => something (fill that in)), a new ingredient, and a source for the ingredient. Thumbs up for anyone who can provide the first 2.

Answer 1

Try baking soda, but make sure it's pure.  That would be Sodium Bicarbonate, NaHCO3.  I'm not sure why you want formulas, the salts just create the conductivity but... NaHCO3 +H2O =>  Na(+) + HCO3(-) + H2O and HCO3(-) + H2O => H2CO3 + OH(-) in small amounts (PKa 6.3)

You can also decompose it with heat before you dissolve it in water to give you Sodium Carbonate which is a stronger electrolyte Na2CO3.