Copper and nickel selective recovery by electrowinning from electronic and galvanic industrial solutions

Laboratory investigations on the kinetics of copper and nickel electrowinning from electronic and metal finishing industries have been carried out as depending voltage at 40 degrees C, using a platinum mesh cathode, an anode of platinum spiral wire and a saturated calomel electrode as reference. The selective deposition of copper and nickel is possible considering their difference in standard potentials of about 0.6 V. The copper deposition was performed in acid conditions and nickel deposition in basic conditions. A quantitative, selective recovery was found for both elements. Under suitable conditions, current efficiencies are approximately 100% for both metals and energetic consumptions are 2.32-2.97 and 2.41-3.05 kW h for copper and nickel deposition, respectively, (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.