Method of leaching molybdenum from sulfide mineral containing molybdenum and copper through electrolytic oxidation scheme

Abstract

Disclosed is a method of leaching molybdenum (Mo) from the sulfide mineral containing molybdenum (Mo) and copper (Cu) through the electrolytic oxidation scheme. The method includes dipping the sulfide mineral containing the molybdenum (Mo) and the copper (Cu) into a solution having chloride dissolved therein, loading an electrode into the solution, and then applying a current to the solution.

1 . A method of leaching molybdenum (Mo) from a sulfide mineral containing molybdenum (Mo) and copper (Cu) through an electrolytic oxidation scheme, the method comprising dipping the sulfide mineral containing the molybdenum (Mo) and the copper (Cu) into a solution having chloride dissolved therein, loading an electrode into the solution, and then applying a current to the solution,
 wherein:   an ultrasonic wave is irradiated when the current is applied, the ultrasonic wave being irradiated while supplying power in a range of 15 W to 65 W at a frequency of 20 kHz, and   in the method of leaching molybdenum (Mo) from the sulfide mineral containing molybdenum (Mo) and copper (Cu), only Mo is leached and not Cu.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sulfide mineral containing the molybdenum (Mo) and the copper (Cu) is a molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ). 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the chloride comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of NaCl, KCl, and NH 4 Cl. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the chloride has a concentration in a range of 1 M to 6 M. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein an anode of the electrode comprises one selected from the group consisting of platinum (Pt), iridium dioxide (IrO 2 ), stainless steel, gold (Au), silver (Ag), titanium (Ti), zirconium (Zr), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), and nickel (Ni). 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a cathode of the electrode comprises one selected from the group consisting of glassy carbon, platinum (Pt), gold (Au), iridium dioxide (IrO 2 ), and graphite. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the current is in a range of 10 mA/cm 2  to 100 mA/cm 2 . 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the solution has a temperature in a range of 25° C. to 80° C. when the current is applied. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the solution has a pH of 9 when the current is applied. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . (canceled)