Electrochemical Behaviour of Chalcopyrite in Chloride Solutions

Abstract

Due to the depletion of oxidized copper ores, it necessitates the need to focus on metallurgical studies regarding sulphide copper ores, such as chalcopyrite. In this research, the electrochemical behaviour of chalcopyrite has been analysed under different conditions in order to identify the parameters necessary to increase the leaching rates. This was carried out through cyclic voltammetry tests at 1 mV/s using a pure chalcopyrite macro-electrode to evaluate the effect of scan rate, temperature, and the addition of chloride, cupric, and ferrous ions. Lastly, the feasibility of using seawater for chalcopyrite dissolution was investigated. An increase in the sweep rate and temperature proved to be beneficial in obtaining highest current densities at 10 mV/s and 50 °C. Further, an increase of chloride ions enhanced the current density values. The maximum current density obtained was 0.05 A/m2 at concentrations of 150 g/L of chloride. An increase in the concentration of cupric ions favoured the oxidation reaction of Fe (II) to Fe (III). Finally, the concentration of chloride ions present in seawater has been identified as favourable for chalcopyrite leaching.