Use of ionic liquid in leaching process of brass wastes for copper and zinc recovery

Brass ash from the industrial brass manufacturer in Turkey was leached using the solutions of ionic liquid (IL) 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium hydrogen sulfate ([bmim]HSO₄) at ambient pressure in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and potassium peroxymonosulfate (oxone) as the oxidants. Parameters affecting leaching efficiency, such as dissolution time, IL concentration, and oxidizing agent addition, were investigated. The results show that [bmim]HSO₄ is an efficient IL for the brass ash leaching, providing the dissolution efficiencies of 99% for Zn and 24.82% for Cu at a concentration of 50vol% [bmim]HSO₄ in the aqueous solution without any oxidant. However, more than 99% of zinc and 82% of copper are leached by the addition of 50vol% H₂O₂ to the [bmim]HSO₄ solution. Nevertheless, the oxone does not show the promising oxidant behavior in leaching using [bmim]HSO₄.     

Dissolution characteristics of sericite in chalcopyrite bioleaching and its effect on copper extraction

The effects of sericite particle size, rotation speed, and leaching temperature on sericite dissolution and copper extraction in a chalcopyrite bioleaching system were examined. Finer particles, appropriate temperature and rotation speed for Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans resulted in a higher Al3+ dissolution concentration. The Al3+ dissolution concentration reached its highest concentration of 38.66 mg/L after 48-d leaching when the sericite particle size, temperature, and rotation speed were -43 μm, 30℃, and 160 r/min, respectively. Meanwhile, the sericite particle size, rotation speed, and temperature can affect copper extraction. The copper extraction rate is higher when the sericite particle size is finer. An appropriately high temperature is favorable for copper leaching. The dissolution of sericite fitted the shrinking core model, 1-(2/3)α-(1-α)2/3=k₁t, which indicates that internal diffusion is the decision step controlling the overall reaction rate in the leaching process. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed small precipitates covered on the surface of sericite after leaching, which increased the diffusion resistance of the leaching solution and dissolved ions.     

Thermodynamics and phase transformations in the recovery of zinc from willemite

Willemite is a common component of zinc and lead metallurgical slags that, in the absence of effective utilization methods, cause serious environmental problems. To solve this problem and increase zinc recovery, we proposed a novel extraction method of zinc from willemite by calcified roasting followed by leaching in NH₄Cl-NH₃·H₂O solution. The thermodynamics and phase conversion of Zn₂SiO₄ to zinc oxide (ZnO) during calcified roasting with CaO were investigated. The mechanism of mineralogical phase conversion and the effects of the CaO-to-Zn₂SiO₄ mole ratio (n(CaO)/n(Zn₂SiO₄)), roasting temperature, and the roasting time on zinc-bearing phase conversion were experimentally investigated. The results show that Zn₂SiO₄ was first converted to Ca₂ZnSi₂O₇ and then to ZnO. The critical step in extracting zinc from willemite is the conversion of Zn₂SiO₄ to ZnO. The zinc percent leached in the ammonia leaching system rapidly increased because of the gradual complete phase conversion from willemite to ZnO via the calcified roasting process.     

Electrical conductivity optimization of the Na3AlF6-Al2O3-Sm2O3 molten salts system for Al-Sm intermediate binary alloy production

Metal Sm has been widely used in making Al-Sm magnet alloy materials. Conventional distillation technology to produce Sm has the disadvantages of low productivity, high costs, and pollution generation. The objective of this study was to develop a molten salt electrolyte system to produce Al-Sm alloy directly, with focus on the electrical conductivity and optimal operating conditions to minimize the energy consumption. The continuously varying cell constant (CVCC) technique was used to measure the conductivity for the Na₃AlF₆-AlF₃-LiF-MgF₂-Al₂O₃-Sm₂O₃ electrolysis medium in the temperature range from 905 to 1055℃. The temperature (t) and the addition of Al₂O₃ (W(Al₂O₃)), Sm₂O₃ (W(Sm₂O₃)), and a combination of Al₂O₃ and Sm₂O₃ into the basic fluoride system were examined with respect to their effects on the conductivity (κ) and activation energy. The experimental results showed that the molten electrolyte conductivity increases with increasing temperature (t) and decreases with the addition of Al₂O₃ or Sm₂O₃ or both. We concluded that the optimal operation conditions for Al-Sm intermediate alloy production in the Na₃AlF₆-AlF₃-LiF-MgF₂-Al₂O₃-Sm₂O₃ system are W(Al₂O₃) + W(Sm₂O₃)=3wt%, W(Al₂O₃):W(Sm₂O₃)=7:3, and a temperature of 965 to 995℃, which results in satisfactory conductivity, low fluoride evaporation losses, and low energy consumption.     

Reaction condition optimization and kinetic investigation of roasting zinc oxide ore using (NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>

An orthogonal test was used to optimize the reaction conditions of roasting zinc oxide ore using (NH₄)₂SO₄. The optimized reaction conditions are defined as an (NH₄)₂SO₄/zinc molar ratio of 1.4:1, a roasting temperature of 440°C, and a thermostatic time of 60 min. The molar ratio of (NH₄)₂SO₄/zinc is the most predominant factor and the roasting temperature is the second significant factor that governs the zinc extraction. Thermogravimetric–differential thermal analysis was used for (NH₄)₂SO₄ and zinc mixed in a molar ratio of 1.4:1 at the heating rates of 5, 10, 15, and 20 K·min-1. Two strong endothermic peaks indicate that the complex chemical reactions occur at approximately 290°C and 400°C. XRD analysis was employed to examine the transformations of mineral phases during roasting process. Kinetic parameters, including reaction apparent activation energy, reaction order, and frequency factor, were calculated by the Doyle–Ozawa and Kissinger methods. Corresponding to the two endothermic peaks, the kinetic equations were obtained.     

Microstructure and properties of mullite-based porous ceramics produced from coal fly ash with added Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Using coal fly ash slurry samples supplemented with different amounts of Al₂O₃, we fabricated mullite-based porous ceramics via a dipping-polymer-replica approach, which is a popular method suitable for industrial application. The microstructure, phase composition, and compressive strength of the sintered samples were investigated. Mullite was identified in all of the prepared materials by X-ray diffraction analysis. The microstructure and compressive strength were strongly influenced by the content of Al₂O₃. As the Al/Si mole ratio in the starting materials was increased from 0.84 to 2.40, the amount of amorphous phases in the sintered microstructure decreased and the compressive strength of the sintered samples increased. A further increase in the Al₂O₃ content resulted in a decrease in the compressive strength of the sintered samples. The mullite-based porous ceramic with an Al/Si molar ratio of 2.40 exhibited the highest compressive strength and the greatest shrinkage among the investigated samples prepared using coal fly ash as the main starting material.     

Alkaline digestion behavior and alumina extraction from sodium aluminosilicate generated in pyrometallurgical process

In pyrometallurgical process, Al-and Si-bearing minerals in iron and aluminum ores are easily transformed into sodium aluminosilicates in the presence of Na₂O constituents, which alters the leaching behaviors of Al₂O₃ and SiO₂. It was confirmed that sodium aluminosilicates with different phase compositions synthesized at various roasting conditions were effectively digested in the alkaline digestion process. Under the optimum conditions at temperature of 100-120℃, liquid-to-solid ratio (L/S) of 10:2 mL/g, caustic ratio of 4, and Na₂O concentration of 240 g/L, the actual and relative digestion ratio of Al₂O₃ from the synthesized sodium aluminosilicates reached maximums of about 65% and 95%, respectively, while SiO₂ was barely leached out. To validate the superior digestion property of sodium aluminosilicate generated via an actual process, the Bayer digestion of an Al₂O₃-rich material derived from reductive roasting of bauxite and comprising Na_1.75Al_1.75Si_0.25O₄ was conducted; the relative digestion ratio of Al₂O₃ attained 90% at 200℃.     

Structural and electrical properties of HCl-polyaniline-Ag composites synthesized by polymerization using Ag-coated (NH4)2S2O8 powder

Ag nanoparticles were sputter-deposited on ammonium persulfate ((NH₄)₂S₂O₈) powder to obtain (NH₄)₂S₂O₈-Ag powder, which was used to synthesize the HCl-doped polyaniline-Ag (HCl-PANI-Ag) composite via a polymerization procedure. The Ag nanoparticles were dispersed in the HCl-PANI matrix, and their sizes mainly ranged from 3 to 6 nm. The Ag nanoparticles did not affect the structure of emeraldine salt in the composite, and they increased the ordered crystalline regions in the HCl-PANI matrix. The HCl-PANI-Ag composite had a conductivity of (6.8 ±0.1) S/cm, which is about four times larger than that of the HCl-PANI. The charge transport mechanism in the composite is explained by the three-dimensional Mott variable-range hopping (3D-Mott-VRH).     

Efficient and selective recovery of Ni,Cu, and Co from low-nickel matte via a hydrometallurgical process

Low-nickel matte was intensively characterized, and Ni, Cu, and Co were determined to exist mainly as (Fe,Ni)₉S₈ and FeNi₃, Cu₅FeS₄, and (Fe,Ni)₉S₈ and Fe₃O₄ (in isomorphic form), respectively. The efficient and selective extraction of Ni, Cu, and Co from the low-nickel matte in an (NH₄)₂S₂O₈/NH₃·H₂O solution system was studied. The effects of (NH₄)₂S₂O₈ and NH₃·H₂O concentrations, leaching time, and leaching temperature on the metal extraction efficiency were systematically investigated. During the oxidative ammonia leaching process, the metal extraction efficiencies of Ni 81.07%, Cu 93.81%, and Co 71.74% were obtained under the optimal conditions. The relatively low leaching efficiency of Ni was mainly ascribed to NiFe alloy deactivation in ammonia solution. By introducing an acid pre-leaching process into the oxidative ammonia leaching process, we achieved the high extraction efficiencies of 98.03%, 99.13%, and 85.60% for the valuable metals Ni, Cu, and Co, respectively, from the low-nickel matte.     

EPR and UV—vis studies of biomimetic complexes of molybdoenzyme and tungstoenzyme

The biomimetic synthesis and the study of the ca-talysis mechanism of molybdenum and tungsten oxotransfer enzyme have been attracted considerable at-tention for a long time, because the oxotransfer enzymes play an important part in the nitrogen, sulfur and carbon cycles in the biological system[1—4]. With the development of the X-ray crystallography, it is possible to determine the structure of molybdenum and tungsten enzymes. However, due to the complexity and dedicated nature of the protein…     

Formation mechanism of an aluminium-based chemical conversion coating on AZ91D magnesium alloy

An environmentally clean aluminium-based conversion coating on AZ91D magnesium alloy was studied in aluminium nitrate solutions. The morphology, composition, structure, and formation mechanism of the coating were investigated in detail using scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersion spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and electrochemical corrosion tests. The results show that the conversion coating is composed of magnesium, aluminium, and oxygen, and shows an amorphous structure. In the initial stage of coating formation, the grain-like nucleus is composed of Al₁₀O₁₅·xH₂O, (Al₂O₃)_5.333, Al₂O₃, AlO(OH), MgAl₂O₄, (Mg_0.88Al_0.12)(Al_0.94Mg_0.06)₂O₄, and (Mg_0.68Al_0.32)(Al_0.84Mg_0.16)₂O₄. The conversion coating formed in the 0.01 mol/L aluminium nitrate solution for 15 min can improve the corrosion resistance of the magnesium alloy greatly. The discussion reveals that the possible formation mechanism for the aluminium-based conversion coating is the reduction reaction on micro-cathodic sites due to the electrochemically heterogeneous magnesium alloy substrate.     

Eutectic reaction and cored dendritic morphology in yttrium doped Zr-based amorphous alloys

The microalloying effect of yttrium on the crystallization behaviors of (Zr_0.525Al_0.10Ti_0.05Cu_0.179Ni_0.146)_100-x Y_x, and (Zr_0.55Al_0.15-Ni_0.10Cu_0.20)_100-x Y_x (x=0, 0.4, and 1, thus the two alloy systems were denoted as Zr52.5, Zr52.5Y0.4, Zr52.5Y1, and Zr55, Zr55Y0.4, Zr55Y1, respectively) was studied. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results suggested that the crystalline phases were different in the two Zr-based alloys and with different yttrium contents. ZrNi-phase and Al₃Zr₅ phase precipitations can be well explained by the mechanisms of nucleation and growth. Al₃Zr₅ phase is mainly formed by a peritectic-like reaction, while ZrNi-phase by a eutectic reaction. The contents of elements Y, Al, and Ti may dominate the reaction types. The orientation relationship between Y₂O₃ particles and Al₃Zr₅ phase is also discussed.     

Late Paleozoic magmatism in South China:Oceanic subduction or intracontinental orogeny?

A gneissic granite with an U-Pb age of 313±4 Ma was found in northeastern Fujian Province,South China.It is an S-type granite characterized by high K2O,Al2O3 and low SiO2,Na2O contents with high A/CNK ratio of 1.22 for the whole rock.Zircons with stubby morphology from the gneissic granite yield 206 Pb/238 U ages ranging from 326 to 301 Ma with a weighted average age of 313±4 Ma,and negative εHf(t) values from -8.35 to -1.74 with Hf model ages (TCDM) of 1.43 to 1.84 Ga.This S-type granite probably originated from late Paleoproterozoic crust in intracontinental orogeny.Integrated with previous results on paleogeographic reconstruction of South China,the nature of Paleozoic basins,Early Permian volcanism and U-Pb-Hf isotope of detrital zircons from the late Paleozoic to early Mesozoic sedimentary rocks,we suggest the occurrence of a late Paleozoic orogeny in the eastern Cathaysia Block,South China.This orogenic cycle includes Late Carboniferous (340-310 Ma) orogeny (compression) episode and Early Permian (287-270 Ma) post-orogenic or intraplate extension episode.Therefore,the late Paleozoic magmatism in the southeastern South China probably occurred during the intraplate orogeny rather than the arc-related process.     

Surface modification of Ti-45Al-8.5 Nb alloys by microarc oxidation to improve high-temperature oxidation resistance

Microarc oxidation(MAO)electrolysis plasma deposition was used to prepare Al_2O_3coatings on Ti-45Al-8.5 Nb alloys to improve high temperature oxidation resistance.The surface and cross-section morphologies before and after high-temperature oxidation,the chemical composition,and the phase identification of the coatings were investigated by scanning electron microscopy(SEM),electron probe microanalyses(EPMA),and X-ray diffraction(XRD).The results show that Al_2O_3coatings with a thickness of approximately 8μm can be obtained on the Ti-45Al-8.5 Nb alloys by MAO for 600 s.The samples with the Al_2O_3coatings exhibited better high-temperature oxidation resistance.A minimal weight gain of only 0.396 g/m~2after 100 h oxidation at 900°C was observed for the coatings formed with a deposition voltage of 400 V and using a duty cycle of 3%.The deposition mechanism of the Al_2O_3coatings and the effect of the MAO parameters are also described.     

Phase analysis and thermal conductivity of in situ O′-sialon/β-Si3N4 composites

Typical O??-sialon-based ceramics, with a formula of Si_2?x Al _x O_1+x N_2?x , where x was set as 0.25, were fabricated by in-situ synthesis. Si₃N₄, Al₂O₃, and SiO₂ powders were used as raw materials, and MgO and Y₂O₃ were added as sintering additives. All the samples were sintered at different temperatures under a nitrogen pressure of 0.25?C0.30 MPa, and their microstructure, phase content, and thermal conductivity were evaluated. The effects of O??-sialon and ??-Si₃N₄ on the thermal conductivity were analyzed by numerical calculation in detail. In the case of the similar porosity, the thermal conductivity of O??-sialon-based ceramics decreased with the ratio of O??-sialon/??-Si₃N₄ increasing. When the ratio was 12, the thermal conductivity of O??-sialon ceramics sintered at 1360°C was 1.197 W·m^?1·K^?1.     

Vapor phase codeposition of Cr and Si on Nb-base in situ composites by pack cementation process

In order to identify suitable halide activators and pack compositions for codepositing Cr and Si to form diffusion coatings on Nb-base in situ composites by the pack cementation process, thermochemical calculation was taken to analyze the vapor pressure of halide species generated at high temperatures. NH4Cl, NaF and CrCl3·6H2O were selected as the halide salts. The results of thermochemical calculations suggested that the pack powder mixtures, which contained Cr, Si, halide salts and Al2O3, may be activated by NH4Cl and NaF. According to the thermochemical calculations, the pack powder mixture of 12Cr-6Si-5NH4Cl-77Al2O3 (wt%) activated by NH4Cl was formulated and coating deposition experiments were carried out at 1200 and 1300℃. With adequate control of pack compositions and deposition conditions, it was found that codeposition of Cr and Si could indeed be achieved at these temperatures. The coating has a three-layer structure, of which was mainly composed of Cr2(Nb,X) (X represents Ti and Hf elements), Nb5Si3 and (Nb,Cr)3Si. Then the kinetics of coating growth process affected by temperature was studied. The experimental results of the oxidation showed that the coating can efficiently prevent substrate from oxidizing.     

硅铝摩尔比对MCM-22的酸性及苯与丙烯烷基化催化性能的影响

以六亚甲基亚胺为模板剂,通过动态水热晶化法合成硅铝摩尔比为20～60的分子筛,采用XRD表征其物相结构;并采用NH₃-TPD,吡啶吸附等方法表征其酸性质;利用气-液固反应和液-固反应,比较不同硅铝摩尔比的MCM-22分子筛在苯与丙烯烷基化反应的催化性能。结果表明:当硅铝摩尔比在30～60时,可以合成出比较纯的MCM-22分子筛,且随着硅铝摩尔比的增加,分子筛的B酸量逐渐增加,所表现出的烷基化活性也随之增加。当硅铝摩尔比为40时,目标产物异丙苯的选择性达最高值,副产物二异丙苯和三异丙苯的摩尔分数最低,但正丙苯的摩尔分数却最高,这与催化剂中B酸量及其所占比例有关。     

Effect of aluminum oxide on the compressive strength of pellets

Analytical-reagent-grade Al₂O₃ was added to magnetite ore during the process of pelletizing, and the methods of mercury intrusion, scanning electron microscopy, and image processing were used to investigate the effect of Al₂O₃ on the compressive strength of the pellets. The results showed that, as the Al₂O₃ content increased, the compressive strength of the pellets increased slightly and then decreased gradually. When a small amount of Al₂O₃ was added to the pellets, the Al₂O₃ combined with fayalite (2FeO·SiO₂) and the aluminosilicate (2FeO·2Al₂O₃·5SiO₂) was generated, which releases some iron oxide and reduces the inhibition of fayalite to the solid phase of consolidation. When Al₂O₃ increased sequentially, high melting point of Al₂O₃ particles hinder the oxidation of Fe₃O₄ and the recrystallization of Fe2O3, making the internal porosity of the pellets increase, which leads to the decrease in compressive strength of the pellets.     

Fe_2O_3/TiO_2复合纳米管阵列的制备及其可见光催化性能研究

在氟化铵-乙二醇体系中,采用阳极氧化法在铁基体上制备Fe_2O_3纳米管阵列,然后以氟钛酸铵为钛源,利用水热法在Fe_2O_3纳米管阵列上负载TiO_2纳米片,制得Fe_2O_3/TiO_2复合纳米管阵列,利用SEM、EDS、XRD、TEM、UV-Vis等手段,对所制Fe_2O_3/TiO_2纳米管阵列的表面形貌、物相结构及光催化性能进行表征,并分析Fe_2O_3/TiO_2纳米结构对亚甲基蓝的可见光降解能力。结果表明,Fe_2O_3/TiO_2复合纳米管阵列具有良好的可见光响应;NH_4F浓度为0.4%、水热反应3h制备的Fe_2O_3/TiO_2复合结构具有最佳的光催化性能,对亚甲基蓝的降解率可达90%。     

Dehydrogenation and reaction pathway of Perovskite-Type NH4Ca(BH4)3

Perovskite-type borohydride, NH_4Ca(BH_4)_3, is considered as a promising hydrogen storage material due to its high gravimetric hydrogen capacity(15.7 wt%). In this work, the dehydrogenation performance and reaction pathway of NH_4Ca(BH_4)_3 have been systematically investigated. It is found that the initial decomposition temperature is only 65 °C, suggesting a low thermodynamic stability of NH4Ca(BH4)3. The desorption kinetics conducted by differential scanning calorimetry(DSC) indicates that the activation energy of decomposition is about 226.1 k J/mol. The dehydrogenation pathway of NH_4Ca(BH_4)_3 characterized by fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR) and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) shows a stepwise decomposition process,in which the initial dehydrogenation is due to destabilization of H~+ in NH4 and H-in BH4 followed by the subsequent dehydrogenation steps arising from the decomposition of homologous NH_3BH_3 and the final decomposition of Ca(BH_4)_2 at a high temperature, respectively.