Anodic dissolution and electrodeposition of iridium in acid medium, coming from electric arc furnace nozzles

Abstract

Iridium is considered a material of interest from the point of view of technological and industrial due to its physical, chemical and electrocatalytic properties ^[1-3]. Since natural sources for their production are limited and demand for iridium in the industry will continue to grow, it is necessary to recover from materials postconsumidos using more selective than traditional techniques (pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical) techniques. In this work the electrochemical techniques for the recovery of iridium in the form of metal complexes in the middle of chlorides and subsequent recovery in metallic form on glassy carbon electrodes (CV) stainless steel (304) and titanium (Ti) were studied for best arrangement. The results indicate that the HCl concentration of 2 M. generates speciation Ir (III and IV) applying a current density of 3.5x10^-1 mAcm ^-2. Obtaining a concentration of 36.001 ppm Ir leaching in a process. Studies indicate that the electrodeposition substrate more tank Ir is stainless steel A304 with a mass of 1 mg applying a constant current -4.7x10^-2 A for 7200 s. This results establish the conditions for more economical, selective and process friendly to the environment.