Effects of ultrasound on the electrochemical cementation of copper onto iron

In this study, the cementation of copper from CuSO4 acidic solution using iron balls in silent conditions and under the application of low-frequency ultrasound (US) is reported. The influence of several parameters such as the pH of solution, the stirring speed, the temperature, the US frequency, and the US power were evaluated. The results show that the use of ultrasound improves the kinetics and the maximum copper removal compared to the mechanical stirring alone. In silent conditions, the rate of cementation was found to be the highest at 60 °C, pH 2, and 500 rpm with maximum Cu recovery at 83% after 4 hours. Under the US and with the same previous parameters, this recovery took no more than 30 minutes to be achieved and the maximum obtained was 96% after 90 minutes.