Adsorption of the complex ion Au(CN)2- onto sulfur-impregnated activated carbon in aqueous solutions

The adsorption of the gold-cyanide complex ion (Au(CN)(2)(-)) on sulfur-impregnated activated carbon in aqueous solution has been studied in order to find a better adsorbent for the gold cyanidation process for extracting gold from ores. This study was performed using sulfur-impregnated activated carbon (SIAC 8.0) made from high-sulfur petroleum coke and an artificial aqueous solution of Au(CN)(2)(-). The experimental results have shown that Au(CN)(2)(-) strongly adsorbed onto the SIAC 8.0, leading the gold adsorption capacity of the SIAC 8.0 to be 2.25x that on conventional activated carbon. It has been also found that the adsorption fit the Langmuir isotherm well, and the adsorption density of Au(CN)(2)(-) on the SIAC 8.0 in aqueous solution increased with increasing temperature, suggesting chemical adsorption. The chemical adsorption might be attributed to the formation of S-Au-CN on SIAC 8.0 surfaces through the covalent bond between the gold atom of the ion and the sulfur in the molecular structure of the SIAC 8.0. In addition, the desorption test has demonstrated that the majority of the adsorption was irreversible, which depended on the density of the adsorption sites on the SIAC. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.