Effect of solvents on the cementation of copper

The rates of the copper [II]/zinc cementation reaction in organic- water mixtures were measured at 25C using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The relation between In Co/C and t in the absence of nonaqueous solvent and at a very diluted CuSO4 solution was given by In Co/C = K.A.t/V; while in the organic-water mixtures, the data fitted the equation of In Co/C = B + K.A.t/V. The rate constant of the cementation reaction increased with increasing the dielectric constant of the mixture. The rate of cementation increased in the order: Water > methanol > ethanol > n-propanol > 2-propanol