Electrochemical Separation of Ag 2 S and Cu 2 S from Molten Sulfide Electrolyte

Wagner, Mary-Elizabeth; Allanore, Antoine

doi:10.1149/1945-7111/ac7101

Title: Electrochemical Separation of Ag ₂ S and Cu ₂ S from Molten Sulfide Electrolyte

Journal Article · Tue Jun 21 00:00:00 EDT 2022 · Journal of the Electrochemical Society

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1149/1945-7111/ac7101· OSTI ID:1874589

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The production of precious metals from Cu-rich sources such as ore products or secondary sources is slow and complex largely due to limited solubility in aqueous electrolytes. This results in sequential processing with various electrolytes and chemistries, where first Cu is electrorefined, followed by Ag, followed by Au and the platinum group metals. These are separate processes, often conducted in separate electrorefining and electrowinning facilities. The chemical properties of molten sulfides, and their ability to operate at a temperature where liquid metal cathodes are used, suggest the possibility of an alternative, streamlined processing route for Cu and precious metals. Unfortunately, little thermodynamic or electrochemical information is available regarding the behavior of Cu and precious metal sulfides in molten sulfide electrolytes. Herein, the relative activity of the Cu ₂ S-Ag ₂ S pseudobinary dissolved in a BaS-La ₂ S ₃ supporting electrolyte is measured at 1523 K. It was found that the supporting electrolyte favors mixing with Ag ₂ S over Cu ₂ S. Molten sulfide electrolysis of Cu and Ag was conducted, with results in good agreement with the thermodynamic model. It is found that the Ag-Cu cathode chemistry will influence the electrochemical selectivity in the Ag-Cu-Ba-La-S system.

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Research Organization:: Massachusetts Inst. of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE); National Science Foundation (NSF)

Grant/Contract Number:: EERE-AMO - DE-EE0008316; EE0008316; 1760025

OSTI ID:: 1874589

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1868378; OSTI ID: 1980883

Journal Information:: Journal of the Electrochemical Society, Journal Name: Journal of the Electrochemical Society Vol. 169 Journal Issue: 6; ISSN 0013-4651

Publisher:: The Electrochemical SocietyCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Title: Electrochemical Separation of Ag ₂ S and Cu ₂ S from Molten Sulfide Electrolyte