The effect of the third component on the dissolution ofchalcopyrite in deep eutectic solvents based on cholinechloride, and p-toluenesulfonic acid

Copper is widely recognized as the second most utilized non-ferrous element, followingaluminum. However, the conventional techniques of pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgyused to produce copper involve high energy consumption, substantial costs, and poseenvironmental challenges. Leaching in biocompatible solvents such as deep eutectic solvents(DESs) can be considered a suitable alternative to conventional production methods. In thisstudy, Sungun copper concentrate (SCC), with the primary phases of chalcopyrite, and pyrite,was used to evaluate the leaching of copper, and iron in various DESs with a solid-to-liquidratio of 20 g/L, at a temperature of 100 °C, and a time of 24 h. Three-component DES basedon choline chloride (ChCl) as hydrogen acceptor, and p-toluene sulfonic acid (PTSA), andvarious third phases as hydrogen donors were used as solvents. The third components areoxalic acid (OA), ethylene glycol (EG), sucrose (S), malonic acid (MOA), fructose (F), urea(U), maleic acid (MA), citric acid (CA), glucose (G). DESs include ChCl:PTSA:OA,ChCl:PTSA:EG, ChCl:PTSA:S, ChCl:PTSA:MOA, ChCl:PTSA:F, CHCl:PTSA:U,ChCl:PTSA:MA, ChCl:PTSA:CA, ChCl:PTSA:G. According to the results of the leaching ofcopper, and iron, selective dissolution wasn’t achieved in any of the ternary DESs. Amongthese DESs, the ChCl:PTSA:MOA with a leaching efficiency of 89% of copper had thehighest leaching efficiency, and at the same time, it dissolved less iron. By adding a smallamount of water to sugar-based DES (i.e., ChCl:PTSA:S, ChCl:PTSA:F, and ChCl:PTSA:G),the synthesis was successfully performed by changing the physical, and chemical properties,but the dissolution of chalcopyrite in sugar-based DES was significantly reduced.

The effect of the third component on the dissolution ofchalcopyrite in deep eutectic solvents based on cholinechloride, and p-toluenesulfonic acid Keywords:

Chalcopyrite , Leaching , Ternary deep eutectic solvent , Choline chloride , ptoluenesulfonic acid.