Using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy to Investigate Gold Dissolution in Thiourea and Thiocyanate Acid Solutions

Abstract

Gold dissolution in acidic solutions containing thiourea (Tu) and thiocyanate was studied using linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). In the presence of Tu, but in the absence of thiocyanate, passivation of gold occurred due to thiourea adsorption. When the solution also contained thiocyanate, passivation was significantly alleviated and gold dissolution enhanced. EIS revealed only one capacitive loop at 0.3 and 0.4V vs. SCE. The combination of the lixiviants lowered the polarization resistance for gold dissolution. A molar SCN:Tu ratio of 5:1 produced the lowest polarization resistance.

Department(s)

Materials Science and Engineering

Keywords and Phrases

Electrochemical Synthesis and Engineering

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

1938-5862

Document Type

Article - Conference proceedings

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2010 The Electrochemical Society (ECS), All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Jan 2010

Link to Full Text

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