Copper and iron extraction from chalcopyrite by NaCl@MgCl₂@urea: Synthesis of CuFe₂O₄ electrodes for supercapacitors

Abstract

This study was conducted in two sections. Initially, the effects of NaCl, MgCl₂, and urea were investigated on extracting copper and iron from chalcopyrite. Subsequently, CuFe₂O₄-based electrodes for supercapacitors were synthesized using the extracted solution. The first phase revealed that 3 mol/L NaCl achieved the highest extraction performance, yielding 60% Cu and 23% Fe. MgCl₂ at 1.5 mol/L extracted 52% Cu and 27% Fe, while a combination of 0.5 mol/L MgCl₂ and 1.6 mol/L urea yielded 57% Cu and 20% Fe. Urea effectively reduced iron levels. CuFe₂O₄-based electrodes were then successfully synthesized via a hydrothermal method using a MgCl₂-urea solution. Characterization studies confirmed CuFe₂O₄ formation with a 2D structure and 45–50 nm wall thickness on nickel foam. Electrochemical analysis showed a specific capacitance of 725 mF/cm² at 2 mA/cm² current density, with energy and power densities of 12.3 mW·h/cm² and 175 mW/cm², respectively. These findings suggest that chalcopyrite has the potential for direct use in energy storage.

Keywords

copper / iron / NaCl / MgCl₂ / urea / thiourea / chalcopyrite / supercapacitor / copper ferrite

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