Electrochemical oxidation of Ce(III) to Ce(IV) and deposition of copper powder in an electrolytic membrane reactor

The electrolytic oxidation of Ce(III) to Ce(IV) at the anode and the simultaneous deposition of copper powder at the cathode were investigated in an electrolytic membrane reactor in sulfuric acid media. The performance of the electrolytic reactor for the oxidation of Ce(III) and copper powder production was optimized by studying the effects of current density, copper(II) and acid concentrations in the catholyte; and various combinations of current density on current efficiency and cell voltage. Experimental results show that copper deposition at the cathode improves the anode current efficiency for the oxidation of Ce(III). Under the optimized conditions, a maximum Ce(III) conversion ratio of 99% was achieved with a current efficiency of 80%. In addition, ∼ 95% Cu was deposited in the form of powder with a current efficiency of 91%. The oxidation of Ce(III) and simultaneous deposition of copper powder can reduce the cell voltage and increase anodic current efficiency.