Cyanide-free copper electrodeposition using glycerol: Modeling and optimization

Authors

  • Lucas Franklin de Lima

    Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Programa de Pós-graduação em Engenharia Química

    https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3996-0984

    Author

  • Ila Gabriele Diniz Dias de Azevedo

    Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Programa de Pós-graduação em Engenharia Química

    https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7022-5235

    Author

  • Karen Giovanna Duarte Magalhães

    Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Programa de Pós-graduação em Engenharia Química

    https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7028-7873

    Author

  • André Anderson Costa Pereira

    Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Programa de Pós-graduação em Engenharia Química

    Author

  • Carlson Pereira de Souza

    Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Programa de Pós-graduação em Engenharia Química

    Author

  • Raffael Andrade Costa de Melo

    Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Programa de Pós-graduação em Engenharia Química

    Author

DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47456/bjpe.v11i4.48731
Keywords:
Copper electrodeposition, optimization, electrolytic bath, glycerol, experimental design
Abstract

The electrodeposition of copper on a Cu-Zn alloy substrate (brass) is normally carried out using alkaline hydrocyanic baths. However, cyanide copper baths are toxic and require certain care. This work studies the modeling and optimization of copper electrodeposition on brass using an electrolytic bath containing cyanide-free glycerol. A central composite experimental design was carried out to evaluate the effects of the factor’s glycerol concentration, time and amperage in response to cathodic current efficiency. The results showed that the estimated model is predictive (R² equal to 0.9279), with the effects of the linear and quadratic terms of amperage, linear terms of glycerol concentration and the effects of their interactions being significant. The best test resulted in a cathodic current efficiency of 57% and an energy consumption of 234.40 kWh/kg, which represented the highest copper deposition and the lowest energy consumption.

Author Biographies
  1. Lucas Franklin de Lima, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Programa de Pós-graduação em Engenharia Química

    Possui graduação em Engenharia Química pela Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (2023). Mestrando em Engenharia Química pela Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte e bolsista do Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq). Com experiência na área de eletroquímica, modelagem e otimização de processos, Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento. Atualmente trabalha com projetos relacionados a síntese de materiais cerâmicos para a oxidação parcial do metano (produção de hidrogênio) e hidrometalurgia de minérios como a scheelita. Foi vencedor do prêmio IEL Talentos 2023, com um projeto inovador e sustentável desenvolvido em uma indústria de galvanoplastia, mitigando impactos ambientais e realizando melhorias de processos.

  2. Ila Gabriele Diniz Dias de Azevedo, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Programa de Pós-graduação em Engenharia Química

    -

  3. Karen Giovanna Duarte Magalhães, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Programa de Pós-graduação em Engenharia Química

    -

  4. André Anderson Costa Pereira, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Programa de Pós-graduação em Engenharia Química

    -

  5. Carlson Pereira de Souza, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Programa de Pós-graduação em Engenharia Química

    -

  6. Raffael Andrade Costa de Melo, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Programa de Pós-graduação em Engenharia Química

    Doutorado, mestrado e graduação em engenharia química pela Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), graduação em química licenciatura pela UFRN e graduação em gestão ambiental pelo Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio Grande do Norte (IFRN). Atuo como professor substituto/temporário pelo Departamento de Engenharia Química (DEQ) da UFRN ministrando disciplinas teóricas e experimentais de termodinâmica, fenômenos de transporte, operações unitárias, programação e cálculo numérico computacional. Atuo como engenheiro químico pela empresa END Inspeções prestando serviços de business intelligence para a empresa Petrobras.

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Cover Image
Cover image illustrating the article “Cyanide-free copper electrodeposition using glycerol: modeling and optimization.” At the center, there is a pink block representing the chemical element Copper (Cu) from the Periodic Table, showing its atomic number (29), atomic mass (63.546), and melting/boiling points. The article title and authors’ names appear at the top in white text on a light gray background. The lower left corner shows the BJPE logo in the shape of a colorful hot-air balloon, and the lower right corner reads “Brazilian Journal of Production Engineering.”
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Published
2025-10-21
Issue
Vol. 11 No. 4 (2025): Regular Issue (October - December) *Continuous Publication of Articles
Section
OPERATIONS & PRODUCTION PROCESS
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Copyright (c) 2025 Lima, L. F. de, Azevedo, I. G. D. D. de, Magalhães, K. G. D., Pereira, A. A. C., Souza, C. P. de, & Melo, R. A. C. de.

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How to Cite

Lima, L. F. de, Azevedo, I. G. D. D. de, Magalhães, K. G. D., Pereira, A. A. C., Souza, C. P. de, & Melo, R. A. C. de. (2025). Cyanide-free copper electrodeposition using glycerol: Modeling and optimization. Brazilian Journal of Production Engineering, 11(4), 51-61. https://doi.org/10.47456/bjpe.v11i4.48731