Electrowinning of tellurium from acidic solutions

Abstract

The process of electrochemical deposition of tellurium was studied. Preliminary researches embrace the voltammetry and microgravimetric measurements. According to the results the electrolysis of tellurium was conducted under potentiostatic conditions. There was no deposition of tellurium above potential-0.1 vs. Ag/AgCl electrode in 25°C. The process of deposition is observed in the range of potentials-0.1 to-0.3 V vs. Ag/AgCl. The presence of tellurium was confirmed by XRF and XRD. The obtained deposits were homogenous and compact. Below potential-0.3 V vs. Ag/AgCl the Faradaic efficiency of the tellurium deposition decreased due to reduction of Te to H2Te and hydrogen evolution.