Electrochemical performance of Pb[sbnd]Co composite anode during Zinc electrowinning

Abstract

In this study, the electrochemical and anodic behaviors of CoPb anodes in electrowinning process were investigated. Accumulative roll bonding (ARB) method was applied to fabricate CoPb composites. The electrochemical properties of the produced anodes were investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), cyclic voltammetry technique (CV), electrowinning tests, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicated that ARB-process is an appropriate method to developed CoPb anodes. The produced anodes containing 0.5% of Cobalt particles as a second phase after 10 cycles of ARB process which is named Pb-0.5%Co-10pass samples showed 83.37% increase in current density compared to pure lead anode. The results of electrowinning tests revealed that Pb-0.5%Co-10pass samples had the best anodic performance with a significant lower corrosion rate, product and electrolyte contamination, slime formation, energy consumption and a higher Zn deposit as a product and energy conservation.