Re: Copper etching using HCl and H202

Madalch wrote:
On Apr 27, 1:29 pm, OBones <obones_gfd_@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Fair enough. So in summary, H202 is not strictly necessary but it helps
accelerate the process as it oxidises the copper and as such makes it
easier to transform the copper into the final copper chloride. Am I right?

As Craig said, it is necessary, because it is the oxidizing agent.
Copper will not dissolve in pure hydrochloric acid.

It will dissolve slowly in hydrochloric acid that contains a
significant amount of copper(II) chloride, though. The copper(II)
chloride reacts with the copper to form copper(I) chloride (which is
only soluble in the presence of a high concentration of chloride ions
from the acid). Copper(I) chloride in solution reacts relatively
slowly with the oxygen in the air to give copper(II) chloride.

This reaction might be too slow for your purposes, but you might be
able to use a lower concetration of hydrogen peroxide, and thus make
things easier for yourself.

Ah yes, makes more sense this way. But then couldn't it be a two part process, leading to this:

H202 + 2Cu --> 2CuO + H2
CuO + 2HCl --> CuCl2 + H20

thus leading to hydrogen generation. This might be completely wrong though... Any opinion very much appreciated
.

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