Oxidative leaching of chalcopyrite: Pursuit of reaction mechanisms through the use of synthetic mineral

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20H02494
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 26060:Metals production and resources production-related
• Research Institution: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: Taninouchi Yu-ki 九州大学, 工学研究院, 准教授 (40644521)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 黒川 修 京都大学, 工学研究科, 准教授 (90303859)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 黄銅鉱 / 浸出 / 合成鉱物 / 銅製錬 / 湿式製錬 / 走査トンネル顕微鏡 / 表面再構成構造 / 劈開面

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Bulk polycrystals of chalcopyrite with dense and controlled average composition and microstructure were prepared, and their oxidative leaching behavior in acidic ferric sulfate solution was investigated electrochemically and microscopically. The factors of solid side that have a significant influence on the leaching reaction phenomena were clarified. It was also shown which of the anodic and cathodic reactions was primarily responsible for the observed changes in leaching rate. Furthermore, the characteristics of the cleavage surfaces of chalcopyrite were characterized using scanning tunneling microscopy, providing a basis for the observation of leaching phenomena on the atomic order.

Free Research Field

非鉄金属製錬

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

黄銅鉱の高速浸出処理の実現は湿式銅製錬の普及に向けた最大の課題であり、その解決のためには未だ不明確であるその反応機構の詳細を解き明かす必要がある。本研究では、組成・組織を制御した人工鉱物をモデル試料として反応現象解析を行うことで、銅精鉱を試料とする従来型の研究では調査困難な点について重要な学術的知見を得た。本アプローチでの基礎研究を今後さらに推し進めることによって、黄銅鉱の浸出反応機構の体系的な理解が進むと期待される。