Redox and electrochemistry of mineral surfaces
Knowing the electrochemistry of minerals and the mechanisms of surface oxidation can improve the understanding of environmental processes, such as weathering, as well as industrial processes such as mineral leaching. In mining and metallurgical processing, a better knowledge of the electrochemistry of minerals can help to optimise extraction processes and reduce the environmental impact of mining activities. Fundamental scientific knowledge about surface reactions, electron transfer processes and interfacial phenomena is being investigated. We specialise in electrochemical analytical methods to investigate the redox chemistry of a range of strategically/economically important metals and minerals. Mineral oxidation mechanisms can be studied using specially prepared mineral electrodes; alternatively, single-phase minerals can be synthesised when pure mineral samples are difficult to obtain.
Selected publications:
- Synthesis and stability of single-phase chalcopyrite - a potential reference material for key investigations in chemistry and metallurgical engineering
N. Frenzel, M. Mehne, S. Bette, S. Kureti, G. Frisch
RSC Advances 11, 3153-3161 (2021)