Title
Reagent-free flow-injection amperometric sensor for quantification and speciation of iron for bio-hydrometallurgical applications
Date Issued
22 June 2015
Access level
open access
Resource Type
journal article
Author(s)
Instituto de QuÃmica Biológica
Publisher(s)
Elsevier
Abstract
Iron ions are monitored in processes such as bio-leaching, bio-oxidation, ferric leaching, passivation control, and others. The role of iron in different hydrometallurgy processes is very important because it affects strongly several industrial ore production, as chalcopyrite cooper extraction. In this work we present an amperometric FIA system that allows rapid quantification and speciation of iron in bio-mining processes. Linearity range, passivation of the working electrode and interferences were studied. We found a useful lineal range from 10 to 1500 mg L<sup>-1</sup> for each of the ions, with a detection limit (Fe<sup>2+</sup> and Fe<sup>3+</sup>) determined at 15 ± 2 mg L<sup>-1</sup>. High copper concentrations could interfere with the amperometric readings, though not in the copper/iron relationship encountered in this industry. Real samples, including an acid mine drainage sample, and the monitoring of the bio-oxidation kinetics of iron by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans were also quantified. In all cases, our results were compared with a standard colorimetric method that allows iron speciation (1,10-phenanthroline), showing good agreement between both methods. The electrochemical method presented here allows high sample throughput (ca. 45 samples h<sup>-1</sup>), fast analysis (ca. 1 min), and reagent free quantification of total iron, ferric and ferrous ions.
Start page
448
End page
455
Volume
220
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
IngenierÃa eléctrica, IngenierÃa electrónica
QuÃmica analÃtica
Subjects
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-84935021102
Source
Sensors and Actuators, B: Chemical
ISSN of the container
09254005
Sponsor(s)
We want to acknowledge financing support by the Agencia Nacional de Promoción CientÃfica y Tecnológica (AGENCIA), the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientÃficas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), and the Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA).
Sources of information:
Directorio de Producción CientÃfica
Scopus