Nanometer sized particles of the chalcopyrite compounds CuInS2 and CuInSe2 were synthesized by thermal decomposition of molecular single-source precursors (PPh3)2CuIn(SEt)4 and (PPh3)2CuIn(SePh)4, respectively, in the non-coordinating solvent dioctyl phthalate at temperatures between 200 and 300 "C. The nanoparticles range in size from 3 30 nm and are aggregated to form roughly spherical cluste...

We describe the polymorphic order-disorder transition in the chalcopyrite-type semiconductor Cuo. slnosSe through a Monte Carlo simulation of a generalized Ising Hamiltonian whose interaction energies are determined from ab initio total-energy calculations. The calculated transition temperature (T, =1 l25+'20 K) compares well with experiment (T, =1083 K). Unlike the analogous ordering in isoval...

Heap bioleaching processes are of increasing interest in the mining industry to recover metals from secondary ores. Recently, it has been proposed to use feedback control to improve the rate of mineral extraction. In this paper we compare two feedback approaches, namely Model Predictive Control (MPC) and Extremum Seeking Control (ESC), to improve copper extraction in a heap bioleaching process....

The purpose of the work was to quantitatively characterize temperature effects on the bacterial leaching of sulfide ore material containing several sulfide minerals. The leaching was tested at eight different temperatures in the range of 4 to 37 degrees C. The experimental technique was based on column leaching of a coarsely ground (particle diameter, 0.59 to 5 mm) ore sample. The experimental ...

This paper predicts the bandgaps of over 200 new chalcopyrite compounds for previously untested chemistries. An ensemble data mining approach involving Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), Sparse Partial Least Squares (SPLS) and Elastic Net/Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (Lasso) regression methods coupled to Rough Set (RS) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) methods was used to dev...

In this research work, the zinc extraction was investigated, using bioleaching process from a low grade zinc concentrate which was produced from the accumulated flotation tailings. Zinc content was initially upgraded to 11.97% by flotation process. Bioleaching experiments were designed and carried out by a mixed culture of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans, Leptospir...

The interaction of biofilms with metallic surfaces produces two biologically induced degradation processes materials: microbial corrosion and bioleaching. Both phenomena affect most materials, but in the case noble metals such as gold, which is inert to corrosion, metallophilic bacteria can cause its direct or dissolution. When this process controlled, it be used for hydrometallurgical applicat...

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are extensively used for power storage in most gadgets, electric vehicles (EV), and energy devices. Spent LIBs an excellent source of metals, which can be recycled reused new to reduce environmental impacts. Our current study reports bioleaching-mediated metal recovery from spent nickel-, manganese-, cobalt (NMC)-based at a high solid content, using autotrophic bact...

In this research work, the dissolution of chalcopyrite was investigated under atmospheric pressure, with sulfate media at low temperatures, in 30°C to 50°C. In the galvanic interaction between chalcopyrite and pyrite, pyrite is used as a leaching catalyst. Effects of different parameters such as temperature, stirring speed, pyrite to chalcopyrite ratio, particle size, and solution potential wer...