The effects of 4-ethylpyridine and 2-cyanopyridine on zinc electrowinning from acidic sulfate solutions

Das, S.C., Singh, P. and Hefter, G. (1997) The effects of 4-ethylpyridine and 2-cyanopyridine on zinc electrowinning from acidic sulfate solutions. Journal of Applied Electrochemistry, 27 (6). pp. 738-744.

Abstract

The effects of 4-ethylpyridine and 2-cyanopyridine on the electrowinning of zinc in the presence and absence of antimony have been studied. The results are compared with those of a common industrial additive, gum arabic. Addition of either compound reduced current efficiency, increased power consumption and lowered the surface quality of electrodeposited zinc. Both the additives showed similar polarization behaviour to gum arabic. Addition of 0.04 mg dm-3 antimony increased current efficiency, reduced power consumption and altered the surface morphology and crystallographic orientations. Combinations of antimony with 4-ethylpyridine resulted in very good current efficiencies, and zinc morphology and quality.