THE ELECTROCHEMICAL BEHAVIOUR OF CHALCOPYRITE IN SULFURIC ACID IN THE PRESENCE OF CYSTEINE

In this paper the effects of different concentrations of cysteine in 10(-2) mol L-1 H2SO4 on dissolution of chalcopyrite are studied. The cyclic voltammograms at the scan rate values of 1 mV s(-1), 5 mV s(-1), 10 mV s(-1) and 20 mV s(-1) are observed. After cyclic voltammetry, the analysis of dissolved metals and sulfur in the solutions was done. The results show that the highest concentrations of the Fe and Cu are obtained at the scan rate 1 mV s(-1). With increasing scan rate only fast reactions can be realized. The low scan rates are associated with slow reactions. Therefore, a molar ratio of Cu/Fe is the largest at the scan rate of 1mV s-1 and concentration of 10(-2) mol L-1 Cys.