Electrochemical behavior of copper electrode in potassium sulfide solutions

Abstract

The electrochemical behavior of copper electrode in 2M potassium sulfide solution was studied using cyclic voltammograms and potentiostatic polarization techniques. The morphology studies were applied using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDAX) and X-ray powder diffraction. Three anodic peaks were observed in the anodic scan of cyclic voltammograms. SEM and EDAX analysis show the formation of an anodic copper sulfide layer on the surface of copper. Chemical sulfidization of the copper shown to be an important layer growth pathway. The sulfide layers do not passivate copper and the formation of passivating oxide layer is suppressed. The sulfide layer on copper has a Cu2S stoichiometry with roxybyite and digenite structure and it grows by a nucleation. A small patches were consistent with a CuS composition. The formation of KCu7S4 or any other ternary compound could not be observed. Only a presumable polysulfide phase very similar to KCuS4 could be detected.