A process for preparing lead by electroreduction with an ammonium chloride and an ammonia is disclosed. In the process, an ammonium chloride aqueous solution is used as an electrolyte, a lead compound is used as a raw material, titanium is used as an anode, stainless steel or lead is used as a cathode, and a direct-current electric field is applied in an electrolytic bath; the lead compound is reduced to metal lead after obtaining electrons at the cathode; and at the anode, ammonia is oxidized to nitrogen for escaping, and H.sup.+ ions are generated simultaneously; sulfate radical ions and chloride ions in the lead compound enter the solution to form ammonium sulfate and ammonium chloride; and the lead monoxide and lead dioxide in the lead compound are reduced to a metal lead and OH.sup. ions are simultaneously released to combine with the H.sup.+ ions to form water.

A dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma apparatus for synthesizing metal particles is provided. The DBD plasma apparatus includes an electrolyte vessel for receiving an electrolyte solution comprising metal ions; an electrode spaced-apart from the electrolyte vessel; a dielectric barrier interposed between the electrolyte vessel and the electrode such that, when the electrolyte solution is present in the electrolyte vessel, the dielectric barrier and an upper surface of the electrolyte solution are spaced-apart from each other and define a discharge area therebetween; and gas inlet and outlet ports in fluid communication with the discharge area such that supplying gas in the discharge area while applying an electrical potential difference between the electrode and the electrolyte solution cause a plasma to be produced onto the electrolyte solution, the plasma interacting with the metal ions and synthesizing metal particles. A method for synthesizing metal particles using a DBD plasma apparatus is also provided.

A dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma apparatus for synthesizing metal particles is provided. The DBD plasma apparatus includes an electrolyte vessel for receiving an electrolyte solution comprising metal ions; an electrode spaced-apart from the electrolyte vessel; a dielectric barrier interposed between the electrolyte vessel and the electrode such that, when the electrolyte solution is present in the electrolyte vessel, the dielectric barrier and an upper surface of the electrolyte solution are spaced-apart from each other and define a discharge area therebetween; and gas inlet and outlet ports in fluid communication with the discharge area such that supplying gas in the discharge area while applying an electrical potential difference between the electrode and the electrolyte solution cause a plasma to be produced onto the electrolyte solution, the plasma interacting with the metal ions and synthesizing metal particles. A method for synthesizing metal particles using a DBD plasma apparatus is also provided.

In a method for electrochemical ammunition disposal and material recovery, ammunition cartridges are placed in an acidic aqueous solution that is in contact with a cathode and an anode. The ammunition cartridges have a casing that includes an alloy of copper and zinc. The ammunition cartridges are agitated in the acidic aqueous solution as a voltage is applied between the anode and the cathode. The applied voltage is effective to oxidize and dissolve zinc from the copper-zinc alloy. Copper metal derived from the alloy can be recovered as a solid, and zinc ion derived from the alloy can be recovered as a solution.

Optimizing device for the electrodeposition of metals which covers the entire range of electrodeposition of metals from the lowest current densities to the highest, which has multiple openings on its entire surface which maximize the free passage of the electrolyte flow without altering the electrodeposition processes and straightening the electrodes causing an equidistribution of current in the electrodes installed in the cells which leads to the production of cathodes with high quality uniform deposits avoiding the loss of current due to short circuits that occur between anodes and cathodes, thereby increasing the current efficiency of the system. The device comprises a single body with a firm skeletal structure formed by different body sections, at least one body section comprising inclined side walls.

A novel silver-coated copper powder, particularly a silver-coated copper powder particle having a dendritic shape, having increased electrical conductivity with no need to increase the silver content is provided. The silver-coated copper powder is composed of a silver-coated copper particle coated with a silver layer containing silver or a silver alloy, including a silver-coated copper particle having a dendritic shape, containing nitrogen (N) in the silver layer, and having a nitrogen (N) content of 0.2 to 10.0 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the silver content.

Method and apparatus thereof to separate aluminum from aluminum-containing source material, such as fly ash, includes preparing a slurry of the source material and water in an agitation tank and adding a leaching reactant to the slurry in an amount dependent on the amount of aluminum in the source material. After agitation, transferring the mixture to a settling pond. After settling, transferring the liquid as a pregnant solution to an electric cell. Treating the pregnant solution in the electric cell by applying an electrical current that is periodically reversed as the pregnant solution passes between at least two metal plates in the electric cell. Collecting the treated solution in a cone bottom tank and separating aluminum particles from the treated solution using a filter press. Drying the particulate aluminum and pressing the aluminum into solid shapes. Another embodiment collects hydrogen generated in the electric cell from source material.

Method and apparatus thereof to separate aluminum from aluminum-containing source material, such as fly ash, includes preparing a slurry of the source material and water in an agitation tank and adding a leaching reactant to the slurry in an amount dependent on the amount of aluminum in the source material. After agitation, transferring the mixture to a settling pond. After settling, transferring the liquid as a pregnant solution to an electric cell. Treating the pregnant solution in the electric cell by applying an electrical current that is periodically reversed as the pregnant solution passes between at least two metal plates in the electric cell. Collecting the treated solution in a cone bottom tank and separating aluminum particles from the treated solution using a filter press. Drying the particulate aluminum and pressing the aluminum into solid shapes. Another embodiment collects hydrogen generated in the electric cell from source material.

The present invention relates to a method for modifying the surface of a substrate made of electrically conductive metal oxide and notably made of ITO, comprising the following steps consisting in: (i) bringing into contact said surface with a solution containing copper ions (Cu.sup.2+) and ammonia then washing and optionally drying the surface thus obtained; and (ii) bringing into contact the surface obtained following step (i) with a solution containing sodium tetraborohydride then washing and optionally drying the surface of said conductive metal oxide substrate. The present invention relates to the use of such a method within the scope of the metallization by copper of a conductive metal oxide substrate as well as the surfaces of a modified and metallized conductive metal oxide substrate thus obtained.

The present invention relates to a method for modifying the surface of a substrate made of electrically conductive metal oxide and notably made of ITO, comprising the following steps consisting in: (i) bringing into contact said surface with a solution containing copper ions (Cu.sup.2+) and ammonia then washing and optionally drying the surface thus obtained; and (ii) bringing into contact the surface obtained following step (i) with a solution containing sodium tetraborohydride then washing and optionally drying the surface of said conductive metal oxide substrate. The present invention relates to the use of such a method within the scope of the metallization by copper of a conductive metal oxide substrate as well as the surfaces of a modified and metallized conductive metal oxide substrate thus obtained.