Electrodeposition of iron in aqueous ferrous sulfate solution: Role of ammonium ion

M. Deelo, K. Weil, K. Osseo-Asare

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

The role of the ammonium ion during iron deposition in a ferrous sulfate bath was investigated. When cathodic polarizations were performed in a solution of 0.02 M FeSO4 at pH 3, quartz crystal microbalance measurements showed that the presence of ammonium sulfate led to increased mass growth of Fe metal on the cathode surface. The surface pH was measured by placing a flat-bottom electrode behind a stainless steel cathode mesh. Potentiodynamic sweeps generated pH versus potential curves which revealed that in the presence of ammonium sulfate surface pH rose to alkaline levels. These two sets of findings (i.e., mass growth rate of Fe metal and surface pH results) suggest that the ammonium ion enables formation of ferrous ammine species (e.g., Fe(NH3)22+ and Fe(NH3) 42+). This inhibits Fe(OH)2 precipitation on the electrode, a process that can lead to surface passivation, and therefore, limited Fe metal deposition. Copyright The Electrochemical Society.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationElectrochemistry in Mineral and Metal Processing VII
PublisherElectrochemical Society Inc.
Pages293-303
Number of pages11
Edition3
ISBN (Electronic)1566774403
ISBN (Print)1566774403, 9781566774406
StatePublished - 2006
Event7th International Symposium on Electrochemistry in Mineral and Metal Processing - 209th Meeting of the Electrochemical Society - Denver, CO, United States
Duration: May 8 2006May 10 2006

Publication series

NameECS Transactions
Number3
Volume2
ISSN (Print)1938-5862
ISSN (Electronic)1938-6737

Other

Other7th International Symposium on Electrochemistry in Mineral and Metal Processing - 209th Meeting of the Electrochemical Society
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityDenver, CO
Period5/8/065/10/06

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Engineering

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