Electrochemical codeposition of arsenic from acidic copper sulfate baths: The implications for sustainable copper electrometallurgy

Abstract

Copper producers face increased demand associated with increasing complexity in feedstock composition, including high amounts of impurity metals. In this work, linear sweep voltammetry was used to study the electrodeposition behavior of copper and arsenic, define strategies for the production of grade A copper, and the removal of arsenic from complex electrolytes. Our results show that the copper concentration is a key parameter to control in the electrodeposition process. The continuous deposition of arsenic from the electrolyte requires copper in solution (≤10 g L − 1 Cu(II) for 2 g L − 1 As(III)) to form copper arsenides. The deposition of metallic arsenic does not occur readily. Conversely, the use of a concentrated Cu(II) solution (e.g. 40 g L − 1 ) resulted in grade A copper from an electrolyte with a maximum of 2 g L − 1 As(III) under galvanostatic control at a current density of -42 mA cm − 2 . Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry depth profile measurements on copper deposits revealed that arsenic contamination was entirely concentrated near the substrate side of the deposit and progressively decreased further into the deposit. The codeposition of arsenic occurred along with the initial copper nucleation, when the electrochemical potential for electrodepostion under galvanostatic control is temporarily lower. These findings provide important insights for future sustainable copper electrodeposition technologies from complex feedstocks.

The study of acid leaching and electrodeposition method to enhance Pb recovery from galena concentrate

“…The electrodeposition route is an electrometallurgical route, which is also used in metal recovery [12 -14]. Brar et al [12] overviewed integrated bioleaching and redox process for copper recovery from waste resources, while Verbruggen et al [13] reported arsenic codeposition from acidic copper sulfate solution using linear sweep voltammetry, and Whitworth et al [14] reviewed minerals processing, metal extraction, and metal recovery from mining wastes due to high economic demand.…”

The time-varying effect of thiourea on the copper electroplating process with industrial copper concentrations

“…Two main demands are driving this process to its limits. Primary, the need for urban mining, introducing different feed material into the process [2,3]. Secondary, the pressure to increase productivity.…”

Extraction of Antimony from Hydrochloric Acid Side Stream of Copper Electrorefining by Hydrolysis

“…These anodes contain impurities from ore concentrates, which are incorporated in the electrolyte along with copper. Elements of concern include As, Sb, and Bi since their presence can negatively affect the final quality of the copper cathode (Arbizu et al, 2010;Artzer et al, 2018;Verbruggen et al, 2022a;Verbruggen et al, 2022b). Consequently, control of such impurities in the electrolyte is of major importance.…”