The simultaneous electrowinning of manganese dioxide and zinc from purified neutral zinc sulphate at high current efficiencies

Abstract

A process that enables electrolytic-grade manganese dioxide and zinc to be electrowon simultaneously at high anodic and cathodic current efficiencies from purified neutral leach liquor from a zinc plant is described. Experimental results that show the effects on the anodic and cathodic current efficiencies of temperature, anodic and cathodic current densities, initial sulphuric acid concentration, initial zinc-ion concentration, initial manganous-ion concentration, and addition of a polyelectrolyte smoothing agent are presented and discussed.