Gold(III) recovery from non-toxic electrolytes using hybrid electrodialysis–electrolysis process

The process of gold(III) ions removal from hydrochloric solutions containing 0.01 mol L−1 HAuCl4 accompanied with metal electrodeposition from cathodic non-cyanide solutions is studied at galvanostatic electrodialysis. A possibility of gold(III) electrodeposition from 0.1 mol L−1 solutions of sulphuric, nitric, hydrochloric, perchloric acids and ammonia is demonstrated. The effects of the main electrodialysis parameters as well as of the composition of the cathodic solution on the gold(III) transport and electrodeposition rate are determined. It is shown that the gold(III) electrodeposition degree increases as the current density (0–6 mA/cm2) and the process duration (0–3 h) increase. The gold electrodeposits with good adhesion and of bright appearance are obtained in all studied systems.

► Gold(III) ions removal from solutions of HCl during galvanostatic electrodialysis.
► Gold electrodeposition from non-cyanide cathodic solutions.
► Gold electrodeposition from diluted solutions of H2SO4, HNO3, HCl, HClO4, NH4OH.
► Gold electrodeposits with good adhesion and of bright appearance are obtained.
► Effects of the electrodialysis parameters on the gold(III) transport are determined.