Preparation of electrolytic copper powders with high current efficiency enhanced by super gravity field and its mechanism

Super gravity field was employed to enhance electrolytic reaction for the preparation of copper powders. The morphology, microstructure and size of copper powders were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry and laser particle analysis. The results indicated that current efficiencies of electrolytic copper powders under super gravity field increased by more than 20% compared with that under normal gravity condition. Cell voltage under super gravity field was also much lower. The size of copper powders decreased with the increase of gravity coefficient (G). The increase of current efficiency can be contributed to the disturbance of electrode/electrolyte interface and enhanced mass transfer of Cu2+ in super gravity field. Meanwhile, the huge gravity acceleration would promote the detachment of copper powders from electrode surface during electrolytic process, which can prevent the growth of copper powders.