ELECTROCHEMICAL PRODUCTION OF CUPROUS OXIDE POWDER

The electrochemical process of cuprous oxide production is by the anodic dissolution of copper in an alkaline concentrated sodium chloride solution. The initial chloride in the electrolyte cell provides a condition for the formation of cuprous chlorocomplex anions. In the end,the cuprous oxide is formed through the anions hydrolysis by the hydroxyl ions, which are generated in the cathodic reaction of hedrogen evolution. In the present research, the effect of some variables, including the concentration of sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide i.e.alkalinity, potassium dichromate as an additive, temperature of the solution and current density are studied on two major electrolysis indices, which are the Current efficiency and the Specific energy consumption. Finally, the optimum conditions are achieved as follows: Temp.:75-80 ° C,NaCl=240 g/l,Curret density = 900 A/m2,NaOH = 0.5 g/l, K2Cr2O7= 0.1 g/l