Selective Removal of Copper from Nickel–Copper Leach Solution by Electrolysis Cells with High Convection
In this study, the selective separation of copper ions (Cu<sup>2+</sup>) from leaching solutions containing both Cu<sup>2+</sup> and nickel ions (Ni<sup>2+</sup>) was investigated using electrolysis cells with high convection (Chemelec). Firstly, the electrochemic...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Metals |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/15/4/432 |
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| Summary: | In this study, the selective separation of copper ions (Cu<sup>2+</sup>) from leaching solutions containing both Cu<sup>2+</sup> and nickel ions (Ni<sup>2+</sup>) was investigated using electrolysis cells with high convection (Chemelec). Firstly, the electrochemical behavior of solutions containing only single Cu<sup>2+</sup>, single Ni<sup>2+</sup>, and both Cu<sup>2+</sup> and Ni<sup>2+</sup> was investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV). Cu<sup>2+</sup> reduction was observed at −0.15 V in solutions that contained either simply Cu<sup>2+</sup> or a Cu<sup>2+</sup>-Ni<sup>2+</sup> combination, whereas oxidation happened at 0.17 V in a single step. The CV analysis of a Ni<sup>2+</sup>-containing solution at pH 1 revealed that Ni<sup>2+</sup> was not reduced. Potentiostatic selective Cu<sup>2+</sup> reduction experiments were conducted at cathode potentials of −0.3 V, −0.4 V, and −0.5 V. Increasing the potential from −0.3 V to −0.5 V enhanced copper recovery from 84% to 94%. The current efficiency remained above 90% across all three potentials during 3 h experiments. At −0.5 V, extending the experiment time from 3 h to 5 h resulted in copper recovery exceeding 99%, while current efficiency declined from 90% to 80%. The cathode products were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), revealing that the main phase consisted of metallic copper. |
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| ISSN: | 2075-4701 |