Formation of selenium powder at reduction of seleniteions in hydrochloric acid solution on the surface of copper anode

Abstract

The article shows the possibility of reduction of selenite ions in the presence of copper (II) ions with the formation of dispersed selenium powders. The effect of the concentration of hydrochloric acid, copper (II) ions, the current density at the copper anode and the solution temperature on the current efficiency (CE) of the formation of selenium powder has been studied. The current efficiency of selenium powder was calculated by the weight of the powder formed. It was found that with increase in concentration of copper (II) ions and the solution temperature, the current efficiency of the formation of elemental selenium in the form of a powder increases. It was shown that at the current density below 75 A/m2, the current efficiency of selenium powder exceeds 100%. Previous studies have shown that titanium (IV) ions cannot be used in the recovery of selenite ions. Using an electron microscope, micrographs of selenium powder were obtained. They indicate the formation of a finely dispersed selenium powder of spherical shape with an average particle size of 0.252 µm. © 2020, National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan. All rights reserved.