Thermodynamic properties of selected phases in the MgO-Sb-O, CaO-Te-O, Pt-Te-O, and Al2O3-Cu-O systems by the EMF method

Most of the non-ferrous metals are produced from sulfide ores. The high grade ores have been exhausted due to intensive consumption and increasing global demand of the metals. The available ores are getting poorer in metals and becoming increasingly more complex. Complexity of the primary raw materials is associated with continuously changing composition, presence of harmful impurities as well as valuable elements with significant concentrations. Furthermore, the secondary raw materials, such as various wastes of electrical and electronic equipment are very complex too. Therefore, efficient processing of such materials, troubleshooting, improving, and developing of industrial processes requires carefully acquired thermodynamic properties for modelling equilibria of chemical reactions and the phase stabilities.In this study, thermodynamic properties of selected phases in the MgO-Sb-O, CaO-Te-O, Pt-Te-O, and Al2O3-Cu-O systems were determined accurately by the solid state EMF method, applying the state-of-the-art equipment. Particular attention was paid to the accuracy and precision of temperature and EMF measurements in carefully arranged experimental galvanic cells. The thermodynamic data reported in the present work should be of great interest for extractive metallurgy as well as for development of new composite and functional materials and product developing work in the field of energy technology, geochemistry and other materials science applications.