A cleaner production strategy for acid mine drainage prevention of waste rock:A porphyry copper case

An in-process technology approach is proposed to identify the source of acid mine drainage(AMD)generation and prevent its formation in a porphyry copper waste rock(WR).Adopting actions before stockpiling the WR enables the establishment of potential contaminants and predicts the more convenient method for AMD prevention.A WR sample was separated into size fractions,and the WR’s net acidgenerating potential was quantified using chemical and mineralogical characterization.The diameter of physical locking of sulfides(DPLS)was determined,and the fractions below the DPLS were desulfurized using flotation.Finally,the WR fractions and tailing from the flotation test were submitted to acid-base accounting and weathering tests to evaluate their acid-generating potential.Results show that the WR’s main sulfide mineral is pyrite,and the DPLS was defined as 850μm.A sulfide recovery of 91%was achieved using a combination of HydroFloat^(®)and Denver cells for a size fraction lower than DPLS.No grinding was conducted.The results show that size fractions greater than DPLS and the desulfurized WR are unlikely to produce AMD.The outcomes show that in-processing technology can be a more proactive approach and an effective tool for avoiding AMD in a porphyry copper WR.

Nitrogen-doping boosts ^(*)CO utilization and H_(2)O activation on copper for improving CO_(2) reduction to C_(2+) products

To improve the electrocatalytic transformation of carbon dioxide (CO_(2)) to multi-carbon (C_(2+)) products is of great importance.Here we developed a nitrogen-doped Cu catalyst,by which the maximum C_(2+) Faradaic efficiency can reach 72.7%in flow-cell system,with the partial current density reaching 0.62 A cm^(-2).The in situ Raman spectra demonstrate that the *CO adsorption can be strengthened on such a N-doped Cu catalyst,thus promoting the *CO utilization in the subsequent C–C coupling step.Simultaneously,the water activation can be well enhanced by N doping on Cu catalyst.Owing to the synergistic effects,the selectivity and activity for C_(2+) products over the N-deoped Cu catalyst are much improved.

Evolution of Goss texture in thin-walled copper tube at different heat treatment temperatures

The evolution of microstructure,textures,and mechanical properties of thin-walled copper tube during heat treatment was investigated using EBSD technique and tensile test.The results show that the initial deformation textures of pre-drawn thin-walled copper tube are mainly composed of Copper and Y components,while with the increase of temperatures,the textures are transformed into a strong Goss texture gradually.The high-resolution microstructural characterizations indicate that the new Goss recrystallized grains nucleate and grow up within the deformed Copper grains and Y grains in different mechanisms,respectively.The tensile strength of the thin-walled copper tube decreases gradually with the increase of the temperature,while the elongation increases first and then decreases sharply due to the action of grain sizes and texture components.

Effects of alternating magnetic field on the corrosion rate and corrosion products of copper

The effects of alternating magnetic field on the corrosion morphologies, corrosion rate, and corrosion products of copper in 3.5% NaCl solution, sea water, and magnetized sea water were investigated using electrochemical test, scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive analysis system of X-ray （SEM/EDAX）, and X-ray diffraction （XRD）. The results show that the corrosion rate of copper in magnetized sea water is minimal. Moreover, the surface of the specimen in magnetized sea water is uniform and compact as compared with those in 3.5% NaCl solution and sea water. The corrosion products of copper in magnetized sea water are mainly Cu2O and CuCl2. However, the corrosion products in sea water are CuCl, Cu2Cl（OH）3, and FeCl3-6H2O. The electrochemical corrosion mechanisms of copper in the three media were also discussed.

Corrosion products of reverse crevice corrosion of copper

Open-circuit potential measurements and Raman spectroscopy were used to investigate the reverse crevice corrosion phenomenon and its corresponding corrosion products. With the aid of these techniques, the existence of reverse-crevice corrosion in copper was verified, i.e., while the surface of a crevice was corrosion free, the outside surface of the copper was attacked. The processes associated with this phe-nomenon were classified into three phases, and different compositions of the corrosion products were determined. Raman spectra showed that copper and Cu2O were found in the crevice, while CuO, Cu2O, and CuCl2 were the corrosion products on the bold surface. Based on these findings, a hypothesis relating to the three phases of reverse crevice corrosion has been proposed.

Scrolled Production of Large-Scale Continuous Graphene on Copper Foils

We report an efficient and economical way for mass production of large-scale graphene films with high quality and uniformity.By using the designed scrolled copper-graphite structure,a continuous graphene film with typical area of 200×39 cm^2 could be obtained in 15 min,and the production rate of the graphene film and space utilization rate of the CVD reactor can reach 520 cm 2⋅min−1 and 0.38 cm−1⋅min−1,respectively.Our method provides a guidance for the industrial production of graphene films,and may also accelerate its large-scale applications.

Amorphous urchin-like copper@nanosilica hybrid for efficient CO_(2) electroreduction to C2+ products

Currently most of research efforts for selective electrocatalysis CO_(2) reduction to C2+products have relied on crystalline Cu-based catalysts;amorphous Cu with abundant low-coordinated atoms holds greater promise for this conversion yet remains relatively underexplored.Here we report an amorphous urchin-like Cu@nanosilica hybrid synthesized by electrostatic coupling Si polyanions with Cu salt in hydrothermal processes.The Cu@nanosilica electrocatalyst displays excellent CO_(2) electroreduction activity and selectivity with a Faradic efficiency of 70.5%for C2+product production,and higher stability compared to the crystalline Cu counterpart.The solar-driven CO_(2) electrolysis yields an energy efficiency of 20%for C2+product production.Mechanism study reveals that the urchin-like Cu@nanosilica catalyst with amorphous Cu/Cu^(+)dispersion enhances CO_(2) adsorption and activation to facilitate generation of CO_(2)^(-)*and possible CO^(*)intermediates,and suppresses hydrogen evolution concurrently.The combined effects of both aspects promote efficient C2+product production from CO_(2) electroreduction.

Copper Oxide Inked with Dye Obtained from the Lactarius Indigo Fungus for Energy Production

The results obtained from the characterization of a copper deposit on indium doped tin oxide (ITO), inked with natural dye extracted from the Lactarius indigo fungus, for use in Gratzel type solar cells are reported. An electrolyte composed of 0.1 M HNO3 and 0.5 M CuSO4 was used, this solution was prepared for copper deposits on the ITO. Cyclic voltammetry was performed at different scan rates to obtain the reduction zone for deposition between potentials of ?100 to ?500 mV. The dye was obtained from the indigo Lactarius fungus from maceration, once the inked deposits were obtained, characterizations were performed, the initial test was to obtain the Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-visible) of the pure dye, and later the same test was performed on the inked oxide. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) was performed on the samples, as well as Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), to characterize the material properties for its application.

Copper-based bimetallic electrocatalysts for CO_(2) reduction:From mechanism understandings to product regulations

Electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction reaction(CO_(2) RR)is a promising method to solve current environment and energy issues.Copper-based catalysts have been widely studied for converting CO_(2) into value-added hy-drocarbon products.Cu monometallic catalyst has been proved to have some shortcomings,including relatively high energy barriers and diverse reaction pathways,leading to low reaction activities and poor product selec-tivity,respectively.Recently copper-based bimetallic tandem catalysts have attracted extensive attentions due to their special catalyst structure,which can be easily regulated to achieve high CO_(2) RR reactivity and product selectivity.With the development of quantum chemistry calculations and spectroscopic characterization methods,deep understandings of CO_(2) RR from the mechanism perspective provide a broad horizon for the design of effi-cient catalysts.This review offers a good summary of reaction mechanisms and product regulation strategies over copper-based bimetallic catalysts,along with a brief discussion on future directions towards their practical applications.

Thick Target Neutron Production on Aluminum and Copper by 40 MeV Deuterons

The thick target neutron yields （TTNYs） of deuteron-induced reaction on AI and Cu isotopes are analyzed by combining the improved nuclear models and particle transport effects. The modified Glauber model is employed mainly to produce the peak of double differential cross section for the breakup process, and the exciton model and the Hauser-Feshbach theory are used for the statistical processes. The thin-layer accumulation method is used to calculate the TTNYs considering the neutron attenuation effects in the target. The calculated results are compared with the existing experimental data, and the analysis method can predict the TTNY data well at the deuteron energy of 40 MeV.

An Analysis of Contemporary Copper Recycling in China

Copper consumption increased very quickly in China in recent years,which could not be met by inland copper industry.In order to achieve a sustainable development of copper industry,an analysis of copper recycling in China was necessary.For the life cycle of copper products a copper-flow diagram with time factor was worked out and the contemporary copper recycling in China was analyzed,from which the following data were obtained.The average life cycle of copper products was 30 years.From 1998 to 2002,the use ratio of copper scraps in copper production,the use ratio of copper scraps in copper manufacture,the materials self-support ratio in copper production,and the materials self-support ratio in copper manufacture were 26.50%,15.49%,48.05% and 59.41%,respectively.The materials self-support ratios in copper production and manufacture declined year by year in recent years on the whole,and the latter dropped more quickly.The average index of copper ore and copper scrap from 1998 to 2002 were 0.8475 t/t and 0.0736 t/t,respectively;and copper resource efficiency was 1.1855 t/t.Some efforts should be paid to reduce copper ores consumption and promote copper scraps regeneration.Copper scraps were mostly imported from foreign countries because of shortage in recent years in China.Here the reasons related to copper scraps deficiency were also demonstrated.But we can forecast:when copper production was in a slow rise or in a steady state in China,the deficiency of copper scraps may be mitigated;when copper production was in a steady state for a very long time,copper scraps may become relatively abundant.According to the status of copper industry in China,the raw materials of copper production and manufacture have to depend on oversea markets heavily in recent years,and at the same time,the copper scraps using proportion and efficiency in copper industry should be improved.

Monitoring Method for Blast Furnace Wall With Copper Staves

A monitoring method that has been designed for the first time for blast furnace wall with copper staves manufactured in China was introduced. Combining the method of ＂inverse problem＂ and the concept ＂non-inverse problem＂, the monitoring program for blast furnace wall with copper staves has been realized, which can be used to calculate online the accretion thickness and temperature of hot surface of copper staves after obtaining the values of thermocouples of copper staves. The accretion state obtained in the actual investigation has proved that the result of the program is correct. The monitoring program shows that the accretion would easily fluctuate when the accretion layer is extremely thick or thin, thereby the stable and smooth operation of the blast furnace is hindered. By maintaining appropriate accretion thickness, both long campaigns and high productivity of the blast furnace can be achieved; furthermore, it can also optimize the operation of blast furnace and maximize its production. Approximately 30--50 mm in thickness of accretion layer is maintained on the wall of Shougang blast furnace 2, which can meet the requirement for obtaining both long campaign and high productivity.

Valence State of Active Copper in CuO_x/CeO_2 Catalysts for CO Oxidation

CuOx/CeO2 catalysts were prepared by adsorption-impregnation method, CO conversion was tested over the catalysts pretreated under different conditions for preferential CO oxidation in H2, and the catalysts were characterized with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and temperature programmed reduction. Experimental results show that there are two kinds of copper, which are Cu^＋ and Cu^2＋ in calcined CuOx/CeO2, Among them, the Cu^＋ is the key active component for CO oxidation. The main reason is as follows： CO is activated by copper for CO oxidation over CuOx/CeO2, while CO can not be activated by Cu^2＋. Only when Cu^2＋ is reduced to Cu ^＋ or Cu^0, the copper may be active for CO oxidation, moreover, the experimental results show that the reduction of Cu^2＋ does not lead to an increase of catalytic activity. So the active species is Cu^＋ in CuOx/CeO2 catalysts.

High-efficient solar-driven hydrogen production by full-spectrum synergistic photo-thermo-catalytic methanol steam reforming with in-situ photoreduced Pt-CuO_(x) catalyst

Synergy between the intrinsic photon and thermal effects from full-spectrum sunlight for H_(2) production is considered to be central to further improve solar-driven H_(2) production.To that end,the photo-thermocatalyst that demonstrates both photoelectronic and photothermal conversion capabilities have drawn much attention recently.Here,we propose a novel synergistic full-spectrum photo-thermo-catalysis technique for high-efficient H_(2) production by solar-driven methanol steam reforming(MSR),along with the Pt-Cu Oxphoto-thermo-catalyst featuring Pt-Cu/Cu_(2)O/CuO heterojunctions by Pt-mediated in-situ photoreduction of Cu O.The results show that the H_(2) production performance rises superlinearly with increasing light intensity.The optimal H_(2) production rate of 1.6 mol g^(-1) h^(-1) with the corresponding solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency of 7%and the CO selectivity of 5%is achieved under 15×sun full-spectrum irradiance(1×sun=1 k W m^(-2))at 180°C,which is much more efficient than the previously-reported Cu-based thermo-catalysts for MSR normally operating at 250~350°C.These attractive performances result from the optimized reaction kinetics in terms of intensified intermediate adsorption and accelerated carrier transfer by long-wave photothermal effect,and reduced activation barrier by short-wave photoelectronic effect,due to the broadened full-spectrum absorbability of catalyst.This work has brought us into the innovative technology of full-spectrum synergistic photothermo-catalysis,which is envisioned to expand the application fields of high-efficient solar fuel production.

Tuning the intermediate reaction barriers by a CuPd catalyst to improve the selectivity of CO_(2) electroreduction to C_(2) products

Electrochemical CO2 reduction is a promising strategy for the utilization of CO2 and intermittent excess electricity.Cu is the only single metal catalyst that can electrochemically convert CO2 into multicarbon products.However,Cu exhibits an unfavorable activity and selectivity for the generation of C2 products because of the insufficient amount of CO*provided for the C‐C coupling.Based on the strong CO2 adsorption and ultrafast reaction kinetics of CO*formation on Pd,an intimate CuPd(100)interface was designed to lower the intermediate reaction barriers and improve the efficiency of C2 product formation.Density functional theory(DFT)calculations showed that the CuPd(100)interface enhanced the CO2 adsorption and decreased the CO2*hydrogenation energy barrier,which was beneficial for the C‐C coupling.The potential‐determining step(PDS)barrier of CO2 to C2 products on the CuPd(100)interface was 0.61 eV,which was lower than that on Cu(100)(0.72 eV).Encouraged by the DFT calculation results,the CuPd(100)interface catalyst was prepared by a facile chemical solution method and characterized by transmission electron microscopy.CO2 temperature‐programmed desorption and gas sensor experiments further confirmed the enhancement of the CO2 adsorption and CO2*hydrogenation ability of the CuPd(100)interface catalyst.Specifically,the obtained CuPd(100)interface catalyst exhibited a C2 Faradaic efficiency of 50.3%±1.2%at‒1.4 VRHE in 0.1 M KHCO3,which was 2.1 times higher than that of the Cu catalyst(23.6%±1.5%).This study provides the basis for the rational design of Cu‐based electrocatalysts for the generation of multicarbon products by fine‐tuning the intermediate reaction barriers.

Hetero‑Interfaces on Cu Electrode for Enhanced Electrochemical Conversion of CO_(2)to Multi‑Carbon Products

Electrochemical CO_(2)reduction reaction(CO_(2)RR)to multi-carbon products would simultaneously reduce CO_(2)emission and produce high-value chemicals.Herein,we report Cu electrodes modified by metal–organic framework(MOF)exhibiting enhanced electrocatalytic performance to convert CO_(2) into ethylene and ethanol.The Zr-based MOF,UiO-66 would in situ transform into amorphous ZrOx nanoparticles(a-ZrO_(x)),constructing a-ZrOx/Cu hetero-interface as a dual-site catalyst.The Faradaic efficiency of multi-carbon(C2+)products for optimal UiO-66-coated Cu(0.5-UiO/Cu)electrode reaches a high value of 74%at−1.05 V versus RHE.The intrinsic activity for C2+products on 0.5-UiO/Cu electrode is about two times higher than that of Cu foil.In situ surface-enhanced Raman spectra demonstrate that UiO-66-derived a-ZrO_(x)coating can promote the stabilization of atop-bound CO^(*)intermediates on Cu surface during CO_(2)electrolysis,leading to increased CO^(*)coverage and facilitating the C–C coupling process.The present study gives new insights into tailoring the adsorption configurations of CO_(2)RR intermediate by designing dual-site electrocatalysts with hetero-interfaces.

A core-shell copper oxides-cobalt oxides heterostructure nanowire arrays for nitrate reduction to ammonia with high yield rate

Electrochemical nitrate reduction to ammonia(NRA) can realize the green synthesis of ammonia(NH3) at ambient conditions, and also remove nitrate contamination in water. However, the current catalysts for NRA still face relatively low NH3yield rate and poor stability. We present here a core-shell heterostructure comprising cobalt oxide anchored on copper oxide nanowire arrays(CuO NWAs@Co_(3)O_(4)) for efficient NRA. The CuO NWAs@Co_(3)O_(4)demonstrates significantly enhanced NRA performance in alkaline media in comparison with plain CuO NWAs and Co_(3)O_(4)flocs. Especially, at-0.23 V vs. RHE, NH_(3) yield rate of the CuO NWAs@Co_(3)O_(4)reaches 1.915 mmol h^(-1)cm^(-2),much higher than those of CuO NWAs(1.472 mmol h^(-1)cm^(-2)), Co_(3)O_(4)flocs(1.222 mmol h^(-1)cm^(-2)) and recent reported Cu-based catalysts.It is proposed that the synergetic effects of the heterostructure combing atom hydrogen adsorption and nitrate reduction lead to the enhanced NRA performance.

Recent advances in the utilization of copper sulfide compounds for electrochemical CO2 reduction

Converting carbon dioxide(CO2)into value-added chemicals by CO2 reduction has been considered as a potential way to solve the current energy crisis and environmental problem.Among the methods of CO2 reduction,the electrochemical method has been widely used due to its mild reaction condition and high reaction efficiency.In the electrochemical reduction system,the CO2 electrocatalyst is the most important part.Although many CO2 electrocatalysts have been developed,efficient catalysts with high activity,selectivity and stability are still lacking.Copper sulfide compound,as a low-toxicity and emerging material,has broad prospects in the field of CO2 reduction due to its unique structural and electrochemical properties.Much progress has been achieved with copper sulfide nanocrystalline and the field is rapidly developing.This paper summarizes the preparation,recent progress in development,and factors affecting the electrocatalytic CO2 reduction performance with copper sulfide compound as a catalyst.Prospects for future development are also outlined,with the aim of using copper sulfide compound as a highly active and stable electrocatalyst for CO2 reduction.

Activation of anthracite combustion by copper acetate:mechanism,effect of particle size and introduction method

This paper addressed the efect of copper acetate on the combustion characteristics of anthracite depending on the fractional composition of fuel and additive introduction method.Anthracite was impregnated with 5 wt%of Cu(CH_(3)COO)_(2)by mechanical mixing and incipient wetness impregnation.Four anthracite samples of diferent fraction with d<0.1 mm,d=0.1-0.5 mm,d=0.5-1.0 mm,and d=1.0-2.0 mm were compared.According to EDX mapping,incipient wetness impregnation provides a higher dispersion of the additive and its uniform distribution in the sample.The ignition and combustion characteristics of the modifed anthracite samples were studied by thermal analysis and high-speed video recording of the processes in a combustion chamber(at heating medium temperature of 800℃).It was found that copper acetate increases anthracite reactivity,which was evidenced by decreased onset temperature of combustion(ΔT_(i))by 35-190℃and reduced ignition delay time(Δτ_(i))by 2.1-5.4 s.Copper acetate reduces fuel underburning(on average by 70%)in the ash residue of anthracite and decreases the amount of CO and NO_(x)in gas-phase products(on average by 18.5%and 20.8%,respectively).The mechanism for activation of anthracite combustion by copper acetate is proposed.

Effect of Copper (II) Ions on Quality of Struvite Produced in Continuous Reaction Crystallization Process at the Magnesium Ions Excess

The research results concerning continuous removal of phosphate (V) ions from solutions containing 1.0 or 0.20 mass % of phosphate (V) ions and 0.2 or 0.5 mg/kg of copper (II) ions using magnesium and ammonium ions addition are presented. Continuous reaction crystallization of struvite MgNH4PO4 × 6H2O ran both under stoichiometric conditions and at 20% excess of magnesium ions (pH 9, t 900 s). It was concluded, that presence of copper (II) ions in a process system influenced product quality moderately advantageously. Mean size of struvite crystals enlarged by ca. 6% only. Lower concentration of phosphate (V) ions and excess of magnesium ions caused, that products of ca. 9% - 13% larger crystal mean size (up to ca.40mm) were removed from the crystallizer. Presence of struvite crystals and copper (II) hydroxide were detected analytically in the products (Cu in a product varied from 6 to 90 mg/kg). Presence of copper (II) ions favored crystallization of struvite in the form of tubular crystals.