Cu2+, Fe2+ and Fe3+ analysis of bioleaching solutions using chronoamperometry and BDD electrode

• Published in: Journal of applied electrochemistry 2014-10, Vol.44 (10), p.1135-1143
• Main Authors: Vepsäläinen, Mikko, Chen, Miao, Yang, Yi, Brokenshire, Rachel, Muster, Tim
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Electrochemistry; Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering; Physical Chemistry; Research Article; Sensors
• ISSN: 0021-891X; 1572-8838
• DOI: 10.1007/s10800-014-0739-2

In this work, a boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrode was evaluated for the electroanalytical determination of millimolar concentrations of Cu 2+ , Fe 2+ and Fe 3+ using chronoamperometry. The interfering role that each ion plays on the quantitative determination of other metal ion concentrations was also assessed. No interference from other metal ions was observed when Fe 3+ and Fe 2+ were analysed. By contrast, reduction of Fe 3+ took place at the same potential where [Cu 2+ ] was measured causing a minor interference to the Cu 2+ signal. A multiple linear regression (MLR) calibration model was made for each analyte using real bioleaching samples, which demonstrated high coefficients of determination and adequate standard errors. The methods developed were used to monitor bioleaching of chalcopyrite for 4 months. The electroanalytical methods are particularly well-suited for analysing Cu 2+ , Fe 3+ and Fe 2+ concentration in acidic mine drainage (AMD) and bioleaching environments.