Silver electrowinning from photographic fixing solutions using zirconium cathode

Suitable electrochemical conditions for using zirconium as a cathode in the electrochemical recovery of silver from photographic fixing solutions were studied by cyclic voltammetry. The influence of the thin, natural zirconium oxide layer was investigated. A flowing system was tested to simulate ind...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Hydrometallurgy 2000, Vol.54 (2), p.79-90
Main Authors: Chatelut, M, Gobert, E, Vittori, O
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Cyclic voltammetry
Electrometallurgy
Exact sciences and technology
Metals. Metallurgy
Photographic fixing solutions
Production of metals
Production of non ferrous metals. Process materials
Silver electrowinning
Zirconium cathode
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Summary:Suitable electrochemical conditions for using zirconium as a cathode in the electrochemical recovery of silver from photographic fixing solutions were studied by cyclic voltammetry. The influence of the thin, natural zirconium oxide layer was investigated. A flowing system was tested to simulate industrial electrolysis and determine the recovery efficiency, the compactness and purity of the recovered silver. The influence of deposition potential and volumetric flow rate influences were studied. The electrowinning of silver is possible with an applied potential lower than 0.9 V between the cathode and a carbon graphite anode. The final Ag concentration in the bath was 20 mg/l, and 98% of the total silver was recovered with an electrical efficiency close to 92%. Silver deposits were very easy to remove from the electrode.
ISSN:0304-386X
1879-1158
DOI:10.1016/S0304-386X(99)00064-X