Hydrometallurgical Processing Routes in the Synthesis of Advanced Materials

Abstract

Hydrometallurgical processing routes show outstanding potential for synthesizing a wide range of advanced ceramic and metallic materials, in which the composition, purity and structure are closely controlled to produce- materials with the properties needed for specific applications. The characteristics of "advanced materials'* are first discussed in general terms. Those classes of materials most likely to be amenable to hydrometallurgical processing are then considered, and the economic, technical and environmental benefits that might be derived from adopting hydrometallurgical processing routes are discussed. The thermodynamic, surface chemical, kinetic, and transport principles that could be used to control the materials characteristics are then reviewed. Finally, selected examples of aqueous processing techniques for preparing both oxide ceramics and metallic materials, as powders, films or coatings, are provided.

Keywords:

• Materials
• aqueous processing
• precipitation
• reduction
• electrolysis