Voltammetry and XPS analysis of a chalcopyrite CuFeS2 electrode

A chalcopyrite CuFeS₂ electrode obtained from the “El Teniente” mine (Chile) has been studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) in a borax alkaline solution at pH 9.2 and by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) before and after the electrochemical treatment at oxidation and reduction potentials. The voltagram shows two peaks in the positive sweep direction which can be assigned to an oxidation process at the electrode surface that involve the formation of Fe₂O₃ and CuO giving rise to an irregular surface layer of the electrode with islands of different chemical composition. The XPS results confirm the formation of Fe₂O₃ and CuO at the electrode surface and their stability against decomposition at reduction potential. In addition, the formation of FEOOH, CuFeO and CuS species at the electrode surface can be deduced by XPS as well as a covering of the whole electrode surface by species due to carbon–oxygen groups.