Electrochemical behaviour of zirconium electrodes in acidic medium and their applications to electrowinning of copper from dilute solutions

The electrochemical influence on metal deposition of an anodically thin film of zirconium oxide was investigated in acidic medium. The oxide was made potentiostatically at 20°C in 0.5 M H 2SO 4. Reduction of the proton was used as a test reaction to evaluate the electrode response for increasing oxi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Hydrometallurgy 1996-11, Vol.43 (1), p.287-298
Main Authors: Chatelut, M., Gobert, E., Vittori, O.
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:The electrochemical influence on metal deposition of an anodically thin film of zirconium oxide was investigated in acidic medium. The oxide was made potentiostatically at 20°C in 0.5 M H 2SO 4. Reduction of the proton was used as a test reaction to evaluate the electrode response for increasing oxide thickness, since it was always possible but progressively shifted towards more cathodic potentials. Copper electrodeposition and electrodissolution were studied and related to the oxide thickness. It was found that a very thin oxide film (< 15 nm) allowed electrochemical reductions but drastically inhibited any oxidation. This was clearly demonstrated by the weak electrodissolution efficiency for copper deposits. However, zirconium electrodes appear suitable for electrowinning of copper in corrosive media from dilute solutions.
ISSN:0304-386X
1879-1158
DOI:10.1016/0304-386X(95)00116-X