ELECTRODEPOSITION OF COPPER FROM PURE CUPRIC CHLORIDE HYDROCHLORIC-ACID SOLUTIONS

Electrodeposition from CuCl2-HCl media has been investigated to establ ish a clean and direct method of copper extraction from cupric chlorid e solutions purified by anion exchange. The major difficulties of the process - cathode corrosion, CuCl precipitation and roughness of the d eposit - were taken into consideration. To prevent contamination: no c hemical agents or additives were used in the electrolyte preparation. The workable range of electrolyte composition was approached from a co mputer aided stability study of the different aquo- and chloro-complex copper species. Experiments suggested that coordination of the fundam ental electrolysis parameters call ensure acceptable copper deposits a nd current efficiencies. A special method of agitation proved effectiv e in improving the conditions.