Insights into the effect of cations on cathodic behavior and microstructure in cadmium electrochemical recovery process

Liu Xia; Wenjuan Zhang; Jianyong Che; Jun Chen; Peicheng Wen; Baozhong Ma; Chengyan Wang

doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.133423

Insights into the effect of cations on cathodic behavior and microstructure in cadmium electrochemical recovery process

Chemosphere. 2022 Apr:292:133423. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.133423. Epub 2021 Dec 24.

Authors

Liu Xia¹, Wenjuan Zhang², Jianyong Che¹, Jun Chen¹, Peicheng Wen¹, Baozhong Ma¹, Chengyan Wang³

Affiliations

¹ State Key Laboratory of Advanced Metallurgy, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China; School of Metallurgical and Ecological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China.
² State Key Laboratory of Advanced Metallurgy, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China; School of Metallurgical and Ecological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China; Department of Materials Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada. Electronic address: zwjuan1109@163.com.
³ State Key Laboratory of Advanced Metallurgy, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China; School of Metallurgical and Ecological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China. Electronic address: chywang@yeah.net.

PMID: 34958790
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.133423

Abstract

Secondary resources provide an essential source for cadmium recovery, but also bring severe environmental problems. Due to the short process and high product purity, electrodeposition is suitable for realizing the reduction, reuse, and recycling of cadmium, while the complex composition of the resources contributes to a complicated electrochemical system. In this work, the effect of common cations (Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Fe²⁺, and Zn²⁺) on cadmium electrochemical recovery was investigated from the perspective of electrochemical behavior and microstructure. The results indicated that Cu affected the electrochemical process most prominently, which was deposited on the cathode and formed microcell with Cd, not only impeding the recovery of Cd, but also influencing the purity severely. Comparatively, Ni showed a relatively minor effect, which made the formal potential more negative and alleviated cathodic polarization to some degree. Besides, Fe²⁺ was oxidized by the oxygen released from the anode, and followed by the reaction with Cd, resulting in the redissolution of Cd. With respect to Zn, a low concentration of Zn (≤1 g L^-1) had little influence on electrochemical behavior of Cd, while it was deposited simultaneously with Cd on the cathode at a high concentration (5 g L^-1). Based on the microstructural characterization, the lithops-like cathode cadmium grew up in the presence of Cu, while dendritic Cd was formed affected by Zn, Fe²⁺, and Ni, especially Fe²⁺.

Keywords: Cadmium recovery; Cations; Electrochemical behavior; Electrode parameters; Microstructure.

MeSH terms

Cadmium*
Cations
Electrodes

Substances

Cations
Cadmium