Initial Stages of Copper Electrocrystallization on a Glassy-Carbon Ring–Disk Electrode from Sulfate Electrolytes of Various Acidity: Potentiostatic Current Transients

Initial stages of copper electrocrystallization on glassy carbon from sulfuric acid electrolytes of pH 0.3 and 3.7 are studied by the method of potentiostatic current transients on rotating and stationary ring–disk electrode. The rate of copper deposition in a 0.5 M Na₂SO₄ + 0.01 CuSO₄ (pH 3.7) solution is marginally higher than in a 0.5 M H₂SO₄ + 0.01 CuSO₄ acid electrolyte (pH 0.3) at the expense of adsorption of sulfate and hydroxide ions on the substrate surface and the copper crystals. Regularities governing the multistage discharge of copper ions, the formation of the new phase nuclei, and the deposit dissolution are analyzed. The results of the study are compared with the data on the kinetics of copper electrocrystallization on a platinum electrode. The acceleration of the copper deposition on glassy carbon in the acid solution of pH 0.3, as compared with platinum, is due to accelerated discharge of copper ions and increased number of univalent copper ions in the near-electrode layer of solution. The oxygen-containing surface groups of glassy carbon (quinone–hydroquinone, carbonyl, etc.) are probably active centers for the discharge of copper ions and three-dimensional nucleation.     

Electrochemical dissolution of chalcopyrite studied by voltammetry of immobilized microparticles

The characteristics of anodic electrochemical dissolution of chalcopyrite (CuFeS₂) powder in hydrochloric acid medium with sodium chloride have been studied. Cyclic voltammetry and chronopotentiometry of immobilized microparticles using paraffin-impregnated graphite electrode was employed. Present work is focused on electrochemical identification of chalcopyrite cathodic and anodic reaction products within the potential range of −0.7 to +0.8 V (vs. SCE) in hydrochloric acid solution containing sodium chloride and/or copper(II) chloride.     

Gamma radiolysis of aqueous solution of acrylic and polyacrylic acid in the presence of Cu2+

The inhibitory action of cupric ions in the process of radiation polymerization of acrylic acid (AA) in aqueous solution was investigated as well as the reaction of the products of gamma radiolysis of water with polyacrylic acid (PAA) in the presence of cupric ions. In the case of AA-CuSO₄ and PAA-CuSO₄ systems irradiated at 77 K an external protective effect caused by copper ions was observed. This effect was connected with the electron transfer between a radical and the Cu²⁺ ion. During radiolysis of copper arcylate (A₂Cu) and a system AA-A₂Cu in aqueous solutions a protective effect exerted by copper ions was observed which seemed to be connected with the dispersion of the absorbed radiation energy by the groups: copper-ligands.     

Phosphoric acid activated carbon as borderline and soft metal ions scavenger

Three activated carbons have been prepared, two from oil-palm shell and one from coconut shell, by the phosphoric acid activation process. Adsorption isotherms of copper(II) were determined to evaluate and compare the performance of experimental carbons. The obtained data are fitted very well to Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption models. All prepared activated carbons show 4–7-fold high adsorption capacity (q_max 19.5–23/18.6–21?mg?g^?1) than that of the commercial ones (q_max 5.6/2.9?mg?g^?1) under the conducted experimental conditions. The mechanism of adsorption was evaluated from the competitive adsorption of copper(II) and calcium(II) in a binary solution depending on their behaviour as Lewis acid and assessed as inner-sphere complexation. The competitive adsorption of copper(II) with other borderline and soft metal ions was evaluated by the best scavenger using a solution of ternary solute of copper(II), nickel(II) and lead(II). The adsorption selectivity order is determined as follows: Pb?>?Cu???Ni.     

Liquid Anion Exchange Studies and Separation of Mercury

Abstract

A new method is developed for the extractive separation of mercury from associated elements. Mercury is quantitatively extracted from 0.5 M acetic acid solution by aliquat 336 S, which acts as a liquid anion exchanger. The metal ion from the organic phase is stripped with sodium hydroxide solution and determined in the aqueous phase complexometrically. The extracted species is [2(R₄N⁺), Hg(OAc)₄ ^?2]. A working procedure for the selective separation of mercury from zinc, cadmium, nickel, cobalt, copper, bismuth and manganese is described.     

Electroreduction of carbon monoxide on palladium electrodeposits in solutions containing copper ions

It is shown that the electroreduction of CO proceeds on electrolytic deposits of palladium (edPd) in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ + (1–5) mM CuSO₄ + CO(sat) solutions at the potentials more positive than the Cu²⁺/Cu equilibrium potential. Among the CO reduction products, methanol and formaldehyde are identified. The current efficiency with respect to CH₃OH exceeds 75% on edPd formed in 1% PdCl₂+0.5 M H₂SO₄ solutions. In addition, Cu⁺ ions, which probably form complexes with CO, are detected in the solution and are assumed to play the role of intermediate species in the mediator catalysis along with copper adatoms.     

Effect of wet spinning parameters on the properties of novel cellulosic fibres

Novel cellulose fibres (Biocelsol) were spun by traditional wet spinning technique from the alkaline solution prepared by dissolving enzyme treated pulp directly into aqueous sodium zincate (ZnO/NaOH). The spinning dope contained 6 wt.% of cellulose, 7.8 wt.% of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and 0.84 wt.% of zinc oxide (ZnO). The fibres were spun into 5% and 15% sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄) baths containing 10% sodium sulphate (Na₂SO₄). The highest fibre tenacity obtained was 1.8 cNdtex⁻¹ with elongation of 15% and titre of 1.4 dtex. Average molecular weights and shape of molecular weight distribution curves of the celluloses from the novel wet spun cellulosic fibre and from the commercial viscose fibre were close to each other.     

Sorption Properties of Hematite for Copper Ions

Sorption properties of commercial hematite (α-Fe₂O₃) for divalent copper ions were studied. This was done with a model solution of copper(II) sulfate additionally containing 400 mg L^–1 of sodium sulfate. It was shown that the hematite sample under study is a good sorbent for removal of divalent copper ions from aqueous solutions. The process of Cu²⁺ sorption is described by the Langmuir equation. The parameters of this equation were determined at various pH values of the model solution and compared with similar published parameters for other hematite samples.     

4-Mercaptophenylacetic acid functionalized Mn2+-doped ZnS nanoparticles fluorescence quenching caused by the addition of Cu2+

This paper reports that 4-mercaptophenylacetic acid functionalized Mn²⁺-doped ZnS nanoparticles (4-MPAA-ZnS-Mn²⁺ NPs) as fluorescent probes for the detection of copper ions in solution. The fluorescence quenching was due to the aggregation of copper ions with 4-MPAA-ZnS-Mn²⁺ NPs. These aggregations were confirmed by using UV lamp, UV–visible spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering (DLS). These 4-MPAA-ZnS-Mn²⁺ NPs were applied as fluorescent probes to detect copper ions in aqueous solution.     

Application of wet effluent diffusion denuder for measurement of uptake coefficient of gaseous pollutants

The comparison of theoretical approaches describing the collection of analyte in the cylindrical wet effluent diffusion denuder (CWEDD) with experimental data is presented. Various absorption liquids were tested for the collection of formaldehyde (distilled-deionized water, H₂SO₄ solution), acetaldehyde (distilled-deionized water) and nitrous acid (distilled-deionized water, sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate solutions of various concentrations and sodium phosphate pH 6-8) in CWEDD. pH of absorption liquids significantly influences the collection of formaldehyde as well as nitrous acid. The collection efficiency of formaldehyde for 0.05 M H₂SO₄ as absorption liquid was generally higher than for distilled-deionized water. Absorption liquid pH markedly affected the collection efficiency of HONO too (with increasing pH the collection efficiency increase). Data derived by Gormley-Kennedy equation for all investigated compounds were overestimated especially for higher flow rates of air, data calculated with respect to Henry constant are not in good agreement with experimental data and are considerably depended on a determination of the Henry constant value. The CWEDD can be alternative tool for the determination of uptake coefficient. Obtained uptake coefficients were in good agreement with data found in other literature.     

Zeolite ZSM-5 containing copper ions: The effect of the copper salt anion and NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>OH/Cu<Superscript>2+</Superscript> ratio on the state of the copper ions and on the reactivity of the zeolite in DeNO<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>

Isotherms of copper cation sorption by H-ZSM-5 zeolite from aqueous and aqueous ammonia solutions of copper acetate, chloride, nitrate, and sulfate are considered in terms of Langmuir’s monomolecular adsorption model. Using UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, and temperatureprogrammed reduction with hydrogen and carbon monoxide, it has been demonstrated that the electronic state of the copper ions is determined by the ion exchange and heat treatment conditions. The state of the copper ions has an effect on the redox properties and reactivity of the Cu-ZSM-5 catalysts in the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO with propane and in N₂O decomposition. The amount of Cu²⁺ that is sorbed by zeolite H-ZSM-5 from aqueous solution and is stabilized as isolated Cu²⁺ cations in cationexchange sites of the zeolite depends largely on the copper salt anion. The quantity of Cu(II) cations sorbed from aqueous solutions of copper salts of strong acids is smaller than the quantity of the same cations sorbed from the copper acetate solution. When copper chloride or sulfate is used, the zeolite is modified by the chloride or sulfate anion. Because of the presence of these anions, the redox properties and nitrogen oxides removal (DeNO _x ) efficiency of the Cu-ZSM-5 catalysts prepared using the copper salts of strong acids are worse than the same characteristics of the sample prepared using the copper acetate solution. The addition of ammonia to the aqueous solutions of copper salts diminishes the copper salt anion effect on the amount of Cu(II) sorbed from these solutions and hampers the nonspecific sorption of anions on the zeolite surface. As a consequence, the redox and DeNO _x properties of Cu-ZSM-5 depend considerably on the NH₄OH/Cu²⁺ ratio in the solution used in ion exchange. The aqueous ammonia solutions of the copper salts with NH₄OH/Cu²⁺ = 6–10 stabilize, in the Cu-ZSM-5 structure, Cu²⁺ ions bonded with extraframework oxygen, which are more active in DeNO _x than isolated Cu²⁺ ions (which form at NH4OH/Cu2+ = 30) or nanosized CuO particles (which form at NH₄OH/Cu²⁺ = 3).     

Low temperature fabrication of efficient porous carbon counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells

Porous carbon counter electrodes have been fabricated at low temperature by coating an organic binder free carbon slurry onto F-doped tin oxide conducting glass. The carbon slurry is prepared by ball-milling a dispersion of activated carbon in aqueous SnCl₄ solution. During ball-milling, SnCl₄ hydrolyzes and transforms into stannic acid gel, which acts as an inorganic “glue” to connect the carbon particles during film preparation. Dye-sensitized solar cells employing this carbon electrode achieve efficiency as high as 6.1% which is comparable to that of the cells using sputtering Pt as counter electrode.     

Initial Stages of Copper Electrocrystallization on a Glassy-Carbon Ring–Disk Electrode from Sulfate Electrolytes of Various Acidity: A Cyclic Voltammetry Study

Initial stages of copper electrocrystallization on glassy carbon from sulfuric acid electrolytes of pH 0.3 and 3.7 are studied by the cyclic voltammetry method on rotating and stationary ring–disk electrode. The rate of nucleation and growth of a metallic phase of copper in a 0.5 M Na₂SO₄ + 0.01 CuSO₄ (pH 3.7) solution is marginally higher than in a 0.5 M H₂SO₄ + 0.01 M CuSO₄ acid electrolyte (pH 0.3). Regularities governing the multistage discharge of copper ions, the formation of the new phase nuclei, and the deposit dissolution are analyzed. No copper adlayers form on glassy carbon at potentials more positive than the equilibrium potential of a reversible copper electrode, the copper nucleation occurs via the Volmer–Weber mechanism. The oxygen-containing surface groups of glassy carbon (quinone–hydroquinone, carbonyl, etc.) are probably active centers for the discharge of copper ions and the nucleation of the new phase. The results of the study are compared with the data on the kinetics of copper electrocrystallization on a platinum electrode.     

Interactions of Water‐Soluble Poly(sodium 4‐styrenesulfonate) with Iminodiacetic Acid and Cu2+

The multicomponent system consisting of poly(sodium 4‐styrenesulfonate) (PSS), iminodiacetic acid (IDAA), and Cu(NO₃)₂ in water at pH 4 was studied by means of ultrafiltration at low and relatively high ionic strengths. Under the experimental conditions, IDAA is negatively charged, and is slightly retained in ultrafiltration experiments in the presence of the water‐soluble polyelectrolyte PSS. The positively charged copper ions are strongly retained by PSS. Due to the capability of IDAA to form stable complexes with Cu²⁺ ions, the resulting blue 1:1 complex between IDAA and Cu²⁺ is not retained by PSS, but is eluted from the ultrafiltration cell at pH 4.     

Direct Synthesis in the Undergraduate Laboratory: Synthesis of Copper Complexes from Zero-Valent Metals as a Demonstration of Base-Catalyzed Direct Synthesis

Direct synthesis is an important and active research field for scientists and technologists involved with the use of elemental metals. An undergraduate laboratory demonstration is presented that exposes students to this important synthetic technique. The direct synthesis of [Cu(NH₃)₄]²⁺ and [Cu(en)₂]²⁺ complexes in aqueous solution from zero-valent Cu metal is employed as an experiment illustrating the oxidizing properties of alkaline hydrogen peroxide solutions. The experiment also shows the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by the copper complexes. Finally, students can learn that the direct oxidation of metallic copper by alkaline hydrogen peroxide solution is an efficient and novel alternative approach to synthesize these and other copper complexes.     

Stability of Ultradisperse Copper in a Sulfo Cation Exchanger Matrix

The recrystallization of ultradisperse copper chemically deposited onto a sulfo cation exchanger matrix was studied by the potentiometric method. The stationary value of the electrode potential of the copper-sulfo cation exchanger composite was established during a long period of time, which depended on the ionic form of the composite (H⁺, Cu²⁺, or Na⁺), solution composition (CuSO₄, H₂SO₄, and Na₂SO₄), and solution concentration. Recrystallization was favored by copper(II) counterions, which entered the composite as a result of ion exchange, nonexchange absorption of copper sulfate, or preliminary composite transformation into the Cu²⁺ form. In the quasi-equilibrium state, the concentration of copper(II) counterions was maintained at a high level by the Donnan interfacial potential. At all the copper(II) sulfate concentrations used, the potential of the Cu²⁺/Cu ion—metal pair in the ion-exchange matrix remained at virtually the same level, which was indicative of the stable state of copper particles. In the absence of an external source of copper ions, recrystallization was significantly hindered; therefore, the potential exhibited only a slight drift. Copper ions formed in the solution of small crystals were localized in the vicinity of ionogenic matrix centers, which decreased the mobility of these particles as counterions; therefore, the dispersity of particles remained unchanged.     

Effect of oxidation-reduction on the extraction of uranium from wet phosphoric acid by DEHPA/TOPO

Uranium is recovered from wet phosphoric acid by DEHPA/TOPO in kerosene. Uranium is present in wet phosphoric acid in the tetravalent and hexavalent states but DEHPA/TOPO extracts uranium in the hexavalent state only. The ratio of U⁴⁺/U⁶⁺ depends on several factors such as the origin of the phosphate rock, the method of preparation of phosphoric acid and the presence of other impurities. Therefore it is important to oxidize the wet acid to convert all uranium to U⁶⁺ before extraction. Uranium is stripped from the solvent by a reverse process where a concentrated phosphoric acid is used under reducing conditions. This paper studies the oxidation of wet phosphoric acid from Homs plant/Syria by H₂O₂ oxidant and the effect of oxidation on extraction coefficientK. It also studies the reduction by iron and its effect on back extraction of uranium from the solvent to phosphoric acid.     

Regeneration by Membrane Electrolysis of an Etching Solution Based on Copper Chloride

Regeneration of an acid solution for copper etching, based on copper(II) chloride, hydrochloric acid, and ammonium chloride, by membrane electrolysis was studied. The concentrations of copper(I, II) ions in the cathode and anode spaces, current efficiency, degree of copper recovery, and specific consumption of electric power at different quantities of electricity passed through the electrolyzer were measured. The influence exerted by the current density on the electric power expenditure for recovery of metallic copper was examined. The anode current efficiency by chlorine was determined with a spent etching solution and an H₂SO₄ solution used as anolyte.     

Mediated electrochemical synthesis of copper nanoparticles in solution

Environmentally friendly mediated electrochemical synthesis of copper nanoparticles in the solution using a copper anode as a source of copper ions has been realized for the first time. It is shown that at the potential of the redox pair MV²⁺/MV?⁺ methylviologen MV²⁺ is able to mediate a reduction of Cu²⁺ ions in 60% aqueous DMF/0.1 M Bu₄NBF₄. Copper nanoparticles build large aggregates (200—250 nm) in the absence of a stabilizer. The use of polyvinylpyrrolidone as a stabilizer makes it possible to obtain smaller copper nanoparticles (20—50 nm) of spherical and oval shape and to characterize them by physicochemical methods.     

Determination of uranium in wet phosphoric acid by extraction with octylphenylphosphoric acid

A method for quantitative determination of uranium in phosphoric acid and wet phosphoric acid has been developed. After reduction with Fe, uranium(IV) is extracted with a kerosene solution of octylphenylphosphoric acid. The uranium was stripped with 10M H₃PO₄, containing H₂O₂, and then determined spectrophotometrically with Arsenazo III and by direct uranium(IV)-phosphoric acid solution measurements.