ELECTROLYTIC PREPARATION OF COPPER POWDER WITH PARTICLE SIZE LESS THAN 63µm

An electrochemical cell consisting of two electrodes (Lead-6%antimony alloy cathode and copper anode, (99.9%)) was used to study the electrolytic preparation of copper powder with particle size less than (63µm) directly as powdery form. Copper sulphate dissolved in sulfuric acid solution was used as electrolyte. The produced powder was thoroughly washed with an acidified distilled water and absolute ethanol, then dried under an inert atmosphere at 80 o C, and classified by screening. Samples of prepared powder were taken to determine their purity by atomic absorption. The effects of current density, metal ion concentration, sulfuric acid concentration, and electrolysis time on the weight percent of copper powder less than (63µm), yield and current efficiency were studied. It was found that copper powder with particle size less than (63µm) can be prepared at a weight percent (79.7% ) and current efficiency( 75%) using cathode current density (0.16 A/cm 2 ),copper ion concentration(5gm/l),sulfuric acid concentration(100gm/l)temperature(25-30 o C)and electrolysis time equal to(2hr). The prepared powder having an apparent density (2.24 gm/cm 3 ) and specific surface area (421 X 10 3 cm 2 /gm). Its average particle size was (42 µm) and its purity was (99.7%) .