Fundamental studies of copper anode passivation during electrorefining: Part II Surface morphology

Xuan Cheng, J. Brent Hiskey

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

Passivation of commercial copper anodes and pure copper has been previously analyzed by performing electrochemical measurements. Chronopotentiometry results revealed four characteristic regions involving I - active dissolution, II - prepassivation, III - passivation onset, and IV - passivation, for commercial copper anodes, while only active dissolution was observed for pure copper under the conditions employed. In order to establish the relationship between surface morphology and passivation response, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) were applied to characterize morphology of the product layers formed on a commercial copper anode surface for the distinctive electrochemical regions. The morphology studies suggested that the formation and stability of copper oxide surface films are critical to the onset and development of passivation. The structure and porosity of the slimes layer present in the outer layer of the anode influence the stability of copper oxide surface films which dominantly control the passivation response.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)610-616
Number of pages7
JournalMetallurgical and Materials Transactions B: Process Metallurgy and Materials Processing Science
Volume27
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1996

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Metals and Alloys
  • Materials Chemistry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Fundamental studies of copper anode passivation during electrorefining: Part II Surface morphology'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this