The Behavior of Ruthenium in Copper Electrowinning

The recycling of material containing precious metals can lead to the entry ruthenium into copper electrowinning process, by so far unknown effects. There, is oxidized highly volatile tetroxide. In order avoid losses during electrolysis, oxidation behavior in was investigated testing different oxygen overvoltages using alloy and diamond anodes. Furthermore, temperature current density were varied investigate a possible chemical or electrochemical reaction. results study show that not directly electrochemically tetroxide at anode. Especially anodes with high overvoltage, formation other oxidants occurs parallel evolution electrolyte. These oxidize compounds reactions. reactions depend mainly on temperature; active depends anodic potential. To low potential should be used electrolyte temperatures.