Process for electrolytic production of metal powder

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for production of a powder of metal in an electrolytic cell comprising an anode made of the metal, a cathode and an electrolyte solution, which comprises a) anodic dissolution to form ions of the metal in the electrolyte solution and cathodic deposition of metal particles from the electrolyte solution, b) removal of the metal particles from the cathode into the electrolyte solution, and c) isolation of the metal particles from the electrolyte solution, wherein the metal is copper or silver, and wherein the electrolyte solution comprises (i) an alkane sulfonic acid or alkanol sulfonic acid and (ii) a soluble metal salt of an alkane sulfonic acid or alkanol sulfonic acid. The present invention also relates to the copper or silver powder obtained or obtainable by the process and use an alkane sulfonic acid or alkanol sulfonic acid in an electrolyte solution for production of a silver or copper powder by electrolytic deposition.

1 . A process for production of a powder of metal in an electrolytic cell comprising an anode made of the metal, a cathode and an electrolyte solution, which comprises
 a) anodic dissolution to form ions of the metal in the electrolyte solution and cathodic deposition of metal particles from the electrolyte solution,   b) removing the metal particles from the cathode into the electrolyte solution, and   c) isolating the metal particles from the electrolyte solution,   
       wherein
 the metal is copper or silver, and 
 the electrolyte solution comprises (i) an alkane sulfonic acid or alkanol sulfonic acid and (ii) a soluble metal salt of an alkane sulfonic acid or alkanol sulfonic acid. 
 
     
     
         2 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the alkane sulfonic acid is selected from C 1 -C 12 -alkane sulfonic acids. 
     
     
         3 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the alkanol sulfonic acid is selected from C 2 -C 12 -alkanol sulfonic acids. 
     
     
         4 . The process according to  claim 2 , wherein the alkane sulfonic acid is selected from methanesulfonic acid, 1-ethanesulfonic acid, 1-propanesulfonic acid, 2-propanesulfonic acid, 1-butanesulfonic acid, 2-butanesulfonic acid, 1-pentanesulfonic acid, 1-hexanesulfonic acid, 1-decanesulfonic acid, 1-dodecanesulfonic acid, methanedisulfonic acid, 1,1-ethanedisulfonic acid, 1,2-ethanedisulfonic acid, 1,1-propanedisulfonic acid, 1,3-propanedisulfonic acid, 1,1-butanedisulfonic acid, 1,4-butenedisulfonic acid, or any combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein step a) is carried out at a temperature in the range of 20°° C. to 70° C. 
     
     
         6 . The process according to  claim 5 , wherein silver powder is produced and step a) is carried out at a temperature in the range of 40 to 50° C. 
     
     
         7 . The process according to  claim 5 , wherein copper powder is produced and step a) is carried out at a temperature in the range of 40 to 50° C. 
     
     
         8 . The process according to  claim 1 , further comprising a step of anti-oxidation of the metal particles. 
     
     
         9 . Copper or silver powder obtained or obtainable by the process according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the alkane sulfonic acid is selected from C 1 -C 6 -alkane sulfonic acids. 
     
     
         13 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the alkanol sulfonic acid is selected from C 2 -C 6 -alkanol sulfonic acids. 
     
     
         14 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein step a) is carried out at a temperature in the range of 30° C. to 60° C. 
     
     
         15 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein step a) is carried out at a temperature in the range of 40° C. to 50° C. 
     
     
         16 . The process according to  claim 5 , wherein silver powder is produced and step a) is carried out at a temperature in the range of 45 to 50° C. 
     
     
         17 . The process according to  claim 1 , further comprising a step of reduction under an atmosphere of hydrogen.