Aluminium
The Blast Furnace
Purification of Copper
Crude Oil
Electrolysis
Analysing Gases
Haber Process
Solubility of Salts
Steel
Test for Anions
Test for Cations
Titration

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Applied
Fundamental
Inorganic
Organic
Physical

Purification of Copper

Purpose

The purification of copper is a form of recycling, it is a way of obtaining new, pure copper from old pipes, wires, circuits, and so on. It uses electrolysis.

Process

purification of copper

A rod of pure copper is used as a cathode and the impure copper is an anode. The electrolyte (solution the ions travel through) is a solution of copper (II) sulphate (CUSO4).

During electrolysis, copper (II) ions leave the impure copper anode and since they are positive are attracted to the negative cathode - here they pick up the two electrons that are needed to form a copper metal and this builds up pure copper. Impurities from the anode collect at the bottom of the solution.