Abstract:
Electrochemical aspects of sphalerite dissolution in acidic ferric chloride have been investigated through concurrent polarization studies of individual half cell reactions. Mixed potential, E(m) and mixed current, i(m) obtained from intersections of such curves at different solution conditions have been analyzed to understand the initial dissolution kinetics. At lower ferric concentrations the overall process is found to be controlled by the cathodic diffusion process. The process control shifts to cathodic activation and then to anodic activation at higher concentration levels as ferric ion concentration increases. Activation energy values obtained support this conclusion.