The role of Fe(III) and water in the oxidation of chalcopyrite

Context Chalcopyrite is the most abundant copper sulfide mineral and is becoming increasingly important for meeting the growing demand for copper. However, its slow dissolution during the leaching process remains a technological challenge, in which the key step is the oxidation of chalcopyrite. The initial stages of chalcopyrite oxidation by Fe3⁺(aq) were investigated on the sulfur-terminated (001) and (112) surfaces. Adsorption of the [Fe(OH)3(H2O)2] complex is stronger on the (001)-S surface (−18.8 kcal mol⁻1) than on (112)-S (−13.4 kcal mol⁻1), forming bidentate bonds that promote electron transfer from the surface to the oxidizing agent. The subsequent redox step proceeds through a hydrogen-transfer mechanism, in which water undergoes homolytic dissociation to yield Fe2⁺–OH2 and an ∙OH radical that attacks surface sulfur atoms, forming S–OH species. This process is both thermodynamically and kinetically favorable on (001)-S (ΔE = −6 kcal mol⁻1; Ea = 11 kcal mol⁻1) but strongly hindered on (112)-S (Ea ≈ 80 kcal mol⁻1). The high stabilization of reaction products on (112)-S likely promotes surface passivation, which may explain the kinetic limitations observed experimentally during chalcopyrite leaching. Comparatively, although O2 is a stronger oxidant, its low solubility in aqueous media limits its effectiveness relative to Fe3⁺.