Nanoparticles-based sensors for detection of thiourea in hydrometallurgical operations

A. TASHDJIAN; I. PEDRE; F. BATTAGLINI; G. LABRADA-DELGADO; M.G. SÁNCHEZ LOREDO; G.A. GONZALEZ

Leipzig

Congreso; 15th EuCheMS International Conference on Chemistry and the Environment; 2015

European Chemical Sciences

The use of species such as thiourea, t hiosulphate or cyanide iom is strongly linked to the electroplating, electrowinning, and electrorefining of metals, as wefl a5 to mining activities. Given the environmenta l importance of these pollutants it is relevant to achieve a more rational use consolidating a competitive industry with the introduction of effective environmental management. The development of suitable sensors for use in production processes, as well as those aimed at monitoring effluents, cont ributes to better use and re-use of hazardous reagents.In this work, novel and easy-to-use colorimet ric and electrochemical thiowea (TU) screenprinted sensors based on immobilized polyvinylpyrrolidone-stabilized silver nanoparticles (PVP-AgNPs) are presented. These sensors are aimed for its direct application in a) leaching solutions of waste of elect rical and electronic equipment, containing significant thiourea and copper amounts, and b) copper electrorefinery baths, where thiourea is added as an additive in small amounts.