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Impact of Anode on Product Formation During the Electrochemical Reduction of Chalcopyrite

  • Electrometallurgical Processing
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Abstract

A hydrometallurgical process has been demonstrated to electrochemically convert chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) to less refractory mineral phases for subsequent chemical oxidation. The electrochemical reaction mechanisms are not well understood; consequently, researchers have been unable to improve the process. In this study, the bulk and surface phases of the chalcopyrite mineral during the progression of the electrochemical reactions are monitored using x-ray diffraction and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively. The results suggest that chalcopyrite reacts at the cathode of the electrochemical reactor to release iron and form an intermediate chalcocite (Cu2S) mineral phase. Allowing Cu2S to contact the anode leads to the formation of covellite (CuS), whereas preventing the mineral from anode contact leads to the formation of cuprite (Cu2O). It was shown that copper ions are more easily extracted from Cu2O than CuS; therefore, it may be desirable to isolate the anode from mineral contact during the electrochemical process.

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Acknowledgements

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship under Grant No. (DGE-1644869). Any opinion, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. The authors gratefully acknowledge Freeport-McMoRan for providing the chalcopyrite mineral concentrate.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA

    Campbell A. Donnelly, Jonathan T. Vardner, Zhengyan Zhang, Scott Banta & Alan C. West

  2. Department of Earth and Environmental Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA

    Alan C. West

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  1. Campbell A. Donnelly
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  2. Jonathan T. Vardner
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Correspondence to Alan C. West.

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Donnelly, C.A., Vardner, J.T., Zhang, Z. et al. Impact of Anode on Product Formation During the Electrochemical Reduction of Chalcopyrite. JOM 72, 3818–3825 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-020-04100-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-020-04100-z

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