Electroplating/electrowinning

Galvanic cells in which stored chemicals can be reacted on demand to produce an electric current are termed primary cells. The discharging reaction is irreversible and the contents, once exhausted, must be replaced or the cell discarded. Examples are the dry cells that activate small appliances. In some galvanic cells (called secondary cells), however, the reaction is reversible that is, application of an electrical potential across the electrodes in the opposite direction will restore the reactants to their high-enthalpy state. Examples are rechargeable batteries for household appliances, automobiles, and many industrial applications. Electrolytic cells are the reactors upon which the electrochemical process, electroplating, and electrowinning industries are based. 

Elemental copper is the least easily oxidized of the first-row transition metals. This largely accounts for the extensive use of copper electrodeposition for both industrial applications and analytical purposes. Since the electrochemistry of elemental copper, including electrodeposition, electroplating, and electrowinning, was treated extensively in the previous edition of this encyclopedia [1] and detailed descriptions are to be found elsewhere [2-4], it is not covered in this treatise. 

The application of electrowinning in this study was experimental. The selection of electrodes required the testing of a variety of materials. Other variables tested were the components of the electroplating bath solution, the amount of stirring, the pH, and the amount of voltage. 

Interesting potential applications of molten salts are electroplating and electrorefining of refractory metals and rare earth metals. Electrowinning of titanium has been tested on a pilot scale. Electrodeposition of refractory compounds like TiB2 has also been demonstrated. Due to space limitations these more exotic applications of molten salts will not be treated here. However, short chapters on molten salt batteries and fuel cells are included. 

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