Communication—Electrolysis of Metal Sulfides in Sulfur-Containing Carbon Saturated Iron Melt

Abstract

In this paper, the feasibility of electrolysis of Cu2S and FeS in sulfur-containing carbon saturated iron melt aided by liquid lead cathode is studied by cyclic voltammetry and potentiostatic electrolysis at 1300 °C. The Cu2S and FeS are electro-reduced on the lead cathode and the product copper dissolve into the liquid lead while the product iron dissolves into iron melt due to the difference of solubility. An insert graphite rod in iron melt was used as the anode, on which the S2− is oxidized to S. This finding provides a new way for refining sulfide impurities in iron-based melt.