Journal of the Electrochemical Society, Vol.147, No.3, 1088-1095, 2000
Electrochemical quartz crystal microgravimetry study of metal deposition from EDTA complexes
The electrochemical deposition of metals from Men (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, EDTA) complexes was studied by electrochemical quartz crystal microgravimetry. These investigations are important for the development of environmental clean-up processes, such as remediation of meta-contaminated seas by EDTA and subsequent electrochemical recovery of metal, in situ electrokinetic soil remediation, electrochemical gas purification, etc. Deposition of metals frequently encountered in hazardous waste sites, such as Pb, Cu, Cd, Zn, and Ni, was investigated. The potential regions of metal deposition were detected from a distinct increase in electrode mass. We observed reduction of Pb, Cu, Cd, and Zn from both protonated and nonprotonated EDTA complexes. No indications were found for Ni deposition. While diffusion-limited currents of Cu, Cd, and Pb deposition could be achieved, the Zn deposition current was much lower This can be explained in terms of electrode passivation during Zn deposition. Side reactions were identified, namely, proton reduction, EDTA reduction, and water decomposition.