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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Diffusional kinetics of metalliding zinc into solid copper

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The process of incorporation of zinc into a copper cathode has been experimentally studied in a molten salt system at 381±2° C and at various current densities. The process is shown to be kinetically controlled by the diffusion of Zn into the solid matrix. A galvanostatic pulse titration technique has been used to determine the chemical diffusion coefficient at various alloy compositions, and an exponential relationship has been found between the diffusivity and the third power of the zinc concentration in the alloy. This relationship was then used in the diffusion equation within the solid matrix and a numerical integration was performed. Very good agreement was found between the calculated and experimental data for Zn interfacial concentration versus time. The same calculation procedure was used to determine zinc concentration profiles in the alloys.