The Effect of Arsenic on Copper Electrodeposition in Copper-Sulfate Solutions in Copper-Electrorefining

The effect of Arsenic in copper-sulfate solutions during electrorefining of copper was investigated using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and cyclic voltammetry analysis. Electrodeposition was carried out using Arsenic, Antimony and bismuth addition to sulfate electrolytes: 45 g/l and 170 g/l . Arsenic in sulfate electrolytes changed the morphology and structure of the copper deposits as compared with those obtained from impurity free solutions. When arsenic was present in the sulfate electrolytes, As intermetallic phase was formed locally on the deposits.