Mixed potential oscillations in the dissolution of galena in ferric sulfate solution

Minerals & Metallurgical Processing , 2008, Vol. 25, No. 4, pp. 211-214

Zhou, Li; Li, Heping

ABSTRACT:

The kinetics of the dissolution of galena was studied by monitoring the mixed potential of a galena electrode in ferric sulfate solutions. The results show that the mixed potential of the galena electrode fluctuated with time in a regular pattern in a 0.1 mol/L Fe₂(SO₄)₃ solution of pH 1.66 and in a 0.01 mol/L Fe₂(SO₄)₃ solution of pH 2.33 at 35°C. The periodic accumulation and precipitation of lead ions at the galena electrode surface and the cyclical variation in pH at the galena electrode surface caused the oscillation phenomena.