Anodic leaching of chalcocite with periodic cathodic reduction

The anodic leaching of cuprous sulphide, chalcocite Cu2S, leads to the formation of copper-deficient compounds described as Cu2−xS, and finally to covellite CuS. This process causes the passivation of the electrode. The electrochemical anodic and cathodic behaviour of natural and synthetic Cu2S is studied by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic techniques. The reactions involved are discussed. technique in which periodic anodic-cathodic treatment is applied to the chalcocite sample is presented. It permits the reactivation of the anode surface. The use of an ionic membrane around the electrodes is also suggested. Micrographs of the treated samples are included.