Doctoral Dissertations

Abstract

The objective of this research was to study the deportment of the group 15 elements, arsenic, antimony and bismuth during copper electrorefining. Samples were collected from six industrial copper anodes with different compositions. Specimens were physically characterized and electro refined to understand the differences in the behavior of selected impurities. Inclusions in the cast metal structures were characterized using automated scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy to measure and correlate their size, shape and composition. Arsenic and lead were found to have a positive correlation between concentration and size of inclusions. Using wavelength dispersive spectroscopy, multiphase inclusions were examined, observing Cu2O cores with complex oxide shells, and complex oxide inclusions enriched in As and O in the shell vs. Cu in the core. In an arsenic and lead rich anode, there were mostly large (>5 µm) complex oxide inclusions, and very few Cu2O inclusions. Group 15 elements are the most carefully controlled impurities in refined copper production. Their deportment was studied by a series of electrorefining experiments. The composition of the electrolyte was measured over time to monitor its evolution with specific focus on the concentration and oxidation state of As, Bi and Sb. The oxidation rates of As and Sb were determined and used to predict precipitation of arsenates and antimonates based on electrolyte composition. It was found that the synthetic electrolyte used had a lower solubility of Sb species than commercial averages. It was confirmed that As3+ oxidizes preferentially to Sb3+. It was found that greater anode oxygen concentration did not accelerate the oxidation rates of As and Sb as previously reported.

Advisor(s)

Moats, Michael S.

Committee Member(s)

Luyima, Alex
Wen, Haiming
Alagha, Lana Z.
Bartlett, Laura

Department(s)

Materials Science and Engineering

Degree Name

Ph. D. in Metallurgical Engineering

Publisher

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Publication Date

Fall 2025

Journal article titles appearing in thesis/dissertation

Paper I, found on pages 31–55, has been published in the proceedings of the 58th Annual Conference of Metallurgists (COM) hosting the 10th International Copper Conference – Copper 2019.

Paper II, found on pages 56-83, has been published in the Journal of the Electrochemical Society.

Paper III, found on pages 84-117, is under review for publication with the Journal of the Electrochemical Society.

Paper IV, found on pages 118-156, is under review for publication with the Journal: Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration.

Pagination

xiii, 171 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes_bibliographical_references_(pages 164-169)

Rights

© 2025 Charles Michael Campbell , All Rights Reserved

Document Type

Dissertation - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Thesis Number

T 12560

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