Papers by Author: Ewa Rudnik

Abstract: Hydrometallurgical routes of copper recovery from smelted low-grade e-waste are presented. Electronic scrap was smelted to produce Cu–Zn–Ag-Sn alloys of various phase compositions. The alloys were then treated in the following ways: (a) anodic dissolution with simultaneous metal electrodeposition using ammoniacal solutions with various ammonium salts (chloride, carbonate, sulfate). This resulted in the separation of metals, where lead, silver and tin accumulated mainly in the slimes, while copper was transferred to the slime, electrolyte and then recovered on the cathode. (b) leaching in ammoniacal solutions of various compositions and then copper electrowinning. Alloy was leached in chloride, carbonate, sulfate and thiosulfate baths. This resulted in the separation of the metals, wherein copper and zinc were transferred to the electrolyte, while metallic tin and silver as well as lead remained in the slimes. Copper was selectively recovered from the ammoniacal solutions by the electrolysis, leaving zinc ions in the electrolyte. The best conditions of the alloy treatment were obtained, where the final product was copper of high purity (99.9%) at the current efficiency of 60%. Thiosulfate solution was not applicable for the leaching of the copper alloy due to secondary reactions of the formation of copper(I) thiosulfate complexes and precipitation of copper(I) sulfide.

Abstract: Ni-Sn alloys show excellent properties having considerable technological interest. Commercial codeposition of nickel with tin is usually carried out from acidic fluoride-chloride electrolytes, but these are intended to replace by less aggressive baths. In this work codeposition of Ni-Sn alloys from acidic solutions containing sodium gluconate as a cheap and nontoxic complexing agent was carried out. The electrodeposition process was studied using various electrochemical techniques. Cathodic polarization curves have shown that tin (II) ions were reduced under limiting current. Chronoamperometric studies indicated nucleation of the alloys according to the instantaneous mechanism. Equilibrium speciation of the baths was also calculated. Chemical and phase composition as well as morphology of the coatings were investigated. Corrosion resistance of the alloys was also studied.

Abstract: Aluminum and its alloys characterize usually poor superficial properties. To improve hardness and wear resistance, aluminum base materials are covered by protective layers. Deposition of metallic coatings on aluminum is accompanied by some difficulties due to tenacious oxide layer present on the substrate surface. Hence, some additional stages are needed to assure good adhesion of the coating to the substrate. In many cases, electrodeposition and electroless methods are competitive for providing deposits with ceramic particles uniformly incorporated within the metal layer. The most extensive studies were carried out on deposition of Ni/SiC composites, but no attempts on Co/SiC coatings deposition on aluminum have been performed. Experiments presented were conducted to develop simply methods for deposition of Ni/SiC and Co/SiC composite coatings on aluminum substrate. The consecutive stages of the hydrometallurgical route were: zincating of aluminum in alkaline solutions, electroless nickel (cobalt) deposition and electrodeposition or electroless deposition of the composite coating. The influence of deposition time and composition of the baths on thickness and composition of the deposits was studied. Microstructure and microhardness of as-plated individual layers were also determined.