Electrorrefinado del cobre

Cu (impure) → Cu2+ + 2e → Cu (pure)

Descripción general

Impure copper anodes (99.5%) dissolve electrochemically while pure copper (99.99%) deposits at the cathode from CuSO₄/H₂SO₄ electrolyte. Impurities either remain in solution or fall as anode slime (containing gold, silver, platinum). The voltage required is only 0.2–0.3 V since the same reaction occurs at both electrodes.

Participantes

Rol Sustancia Coeficiente Estado
Reactivo Cobre Cu 1 (s)
Producto Cobre Cu 1 (s)

Ejemplo cotidiano

All the copper wiring in your home was refined to 99.99% purity by this electrorefining process.

Importancia industrial

Aproximadamente el 80% del cobre mundial (20 millones de toneladas/año) se electrorrefina. Los metales preciosos recuperados de los lodos anódicos compensan gran parte del coste del proceso.

Preguntas frecuentes

What is the equation for Electrorrefinado del cobre?
The balanced equation is: Cu (impure) → Cu²⁺ + 2e⁻ → Cu (pure).
What type of reaction is Electrorrefinado del cobre?
Electrorrefinado del cobre is a electroquímica reaction.
Is Electrorrefinado del cobre exothermic or endothermic?
Electrorrefinado del cobre is endothermic (absorbs energy). The enthalpy change (ΔH) is 0.0 kJ/mol.