Optimization of the use of carbon paste electrodes (CPE) for electrochemical study of the chalcopyrite

• Main Authors: Daniela G. Horta, Denise Bevilaqua, Heloísa A. Acciari, Oswaldo Garcia Júnior, Assis V. Benedetti
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Química 2009-01-01
• Series: Química Nova
• Subjects: carbon paste electrodes (CPE); chalcopyrite; leaching
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-40422009000700010
• ISSN: 0100-4042; 1678-7064

The use of carbon paste electrodes (CPE) of mineral sulfides can be useful for electrochemical studies to overcome problems by using massive ones. Using CPE-chalcopyrite some variables were electrochemically evaluated. These variables were: (i) the atmosphere of preparation (air or argon) of CPE and elapsed time till its use; (ii) scan rate for voltammetric measurements and (iii) chalcopyrite concentration in the CPE. Based on cyclic voltammetry, open-circuit potential and electrochemical impedance results the recommendations are: oxygen-free atmosphere to prepare and kept the CPE until around two ours, scan rates from 10 to 40 mV s-1, and chalcopyrite concentrations > 20%.