Abstract
Copper sulfides such as chalcopyrite (CuFeS2), covellite (CuS) and chalcocite (Cu2S) are the most abundant, and thus mainly used, minerals in the copper mining industry worldwide. These metallic sulfides have semiconductor properties and they can be activated by sunlight. Some of them have been used as photocatalysts for water purification. However, photocorrosion phenomena decrease the photocatalytic activity and cause the leaching of metal ions into the solution. This phenomenon is undesirable for photocatalytic purposes, however, it could be used as a complementary method for sulfide minerals leaching. In this work, we studied photocorrosion assisted by solar light to evaluate the photoleaching of copper and iron from CuFeS2, CuS and Cu2S. In addition, heterogeneous photocatalysis using TiO2 was also evaluated. Copper and iron leaching was determined in sulfide mineral suspensions under visible light irradiation. For the first time, it is demonstrated that the photocorrosion of copper sulfides occurs under controlled conditions. This proof of concept demonstrates that photocorrosion and photocatalysis could be considered for copper leaching from copper sulfide minerals. This novel study could generate a new route for copper leaching using solar light under mild conditions with less environmental impacts.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.