Electrochemical synthesis of cupric oxide powder - Part I: Influence of pH

Electrochemical synthesis of cupric oxide powder (CuO) in alkaline sodium s ulfate is of technological interest. As it is known that hydroxyl ions are needed for the formation of cupric oxide, according to the principal chemic al reaction: Cu2+ + 2 OH- --> CuO + H2O The effect of pH tin the range from 7.50 to 10.80) on cupric oxide powder f ormation was investigated. Optimum conditions for cupric oxide powder synth esis, with respect to particle size, cell voltage, current efficiency and s pecific energy consumption were determined to be a pH 7.5 and a current den sity of 4000 A m(-2). A significant effect of pH on the particle size and a ggregation of the powder was confirmed by both galvanostatic measurements a nd particle size determination. The lowest powder particle sizes were obtai ned at pH 7.5. Aggregation of powder particles at higher pH was also observ ed.