The electrochemical oxidation of alkaline copper cyanide solutions |
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Authors: | S.C ChengM Gattrell T GuenaB MacDougall |
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Affiliation: | Institute for Chemical Process and Environmental Technology, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, Ont., Canada K1A 0R6 |
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Abstract: | A systematic investigation of the electrochemical oxidation of copper cyanide was carried out. At low pH, cyanide destruction is believed to be catalyzed by the heterogeneous reaction involving adsorbed [Cu(CN)3]2− and possibly [Cu(CN)4]3−. At high pH, rapid oxidation of cyanide was observed around 0.75 V versus Hg/HgO with the formation of a black copper oxide film. This enhanced electrocatalytic activity is believed to be related to the formation of an active copper(III) species. The transition point between low and high pH as a function of cyanide and copper concentrations is discussed. Bulk electrolysis of a copper cyanide solution at 0.90 V oxidized most of the cyanide to cyanate. Prolonged electrolysis further oxidized the cyanate to nitrate. The copper oxide film is found to be catalytic, capable of electro-oxidizing hydroxide to oxygen and cyanate to nitrate. |
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Keywords: | Cyanide oxidation Copper complexes Hydroxide ions Copper oxide and nitrate |
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