A robotic platform for high-throughput electrochemical analysis of chalcopyrite leaching
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Albrecht, T
Godfrey, D
Bannock, JH
Kuzmina, O
Welton, T
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Cu extraction from chalcopyrite ores is typically a slow process that involves aggressive chemical reagents with significant environmental impact. Ionic liquids (IL) have been proposed as a potentially more benign solution, but the sheer number of IL variants complicates the search for the most efficient solvent systems. Here, we present an automated electrochemical platform that allows for screening of 180 and more leaching samples in parallel with minimal solvent consumption. In a proof-of-concept study, we screen 25 samples with different IL and water contents, and find two orders of magnitude difference in leaching performance within this array. The best performing system is then applied in a tank leaching configuration, with real-time electrochemical monitoring of Cu evolution in solution. All electrochemical data is found to be in excellent agreement with off-line ICP-AES data.
Date Issued
2016-04-07
Date Acceptance
2015-12-04
Citation
Green Chemistry, 2016, 18, pp.1930-1937
ISSN
1463-9262
Publisher
Royal Society of Chemistry
Start Page
1930
End Page
1937
Journal / Book Title
Green Chemistry
Volume
18
Copyright Statement
© The Royal Society of Chemistry 2015. This an open access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence.
License URL
Sponsor
Technological Resources PTY Ltd
Grant Number
3101488649
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chemistry
IONIC LIQUIDS
ICP-AES
COPPER
RECONSTRUCTION
SULFATE
REMOVAL
WATER
Organic Chemistry
03 Chemical Sciences
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2015-12-07