Prospects of using plastic chip electrodes at high current density: Recovery of zinc from acidic sulfate solutions

The prospects of using a polymer composite electrode the Plastic Chip Electrode (PCE) in high current applications has been reported in this manuscript. PCE is fabricated by a simple solution casting method from a semi-fluidic slurry. This semi-fluidic slurry forms a very compact composite, due to gravitational pull, during drying and hence yielding highly compact and pitless morphology. The viscosity of the polymer has been manipulated in such a way that it balances the weight of the graphite filler. This compact and highly dense morphology of the composite helps to sustain high currents. The electrowinning of zinc from the acidic solutions has been taken as a model for demonstration. The PCE has been found stable at a current density as high as 500 mA cm(-2). The corrosion behavior of PCE has been evaluated. The current efficiency was found to be more than 90% in the presence of HER retardant additive, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). The deposited zinc metal has been characterized by various techniques.