Ion-exchange membranes in gold electowinning processes on flow-through carbon fiber electrodes

Abstract

The change in the properties of ion-exchange membranes preventing the negative effect of anodic reaction products on the electrowinning of gold on carbon fiber cathodes from (1) sulfuric acid thiourea eluates formed during the extraction of gold from ores and (2) citrate–phosphate washing solutions from gold plating of electronic components has been studied. By using electron microscopy, microanalysis, and atomic absorption spectroscopy, it has been shown that the main cause of the change in the properties of the membranes during their operation is the inclusion of components of the solutions subjected to treatment and the products of electrode reactions in the membrane. The service life of the membranes in said processes has been determined.