Purification and Uses of Zinc

Purification and Uses of zinc:

Purification

Zinc is purified by electrolytic refining. In this process, Impure Zinc is anode and cathode is of pure thin sheet of Zinc. The electrolyte is ZnSO₄ solution containing a little of dil.H₂SO₄. On passing electric current, pure zinc get deposited at the cathode.

Uses:

1. It is widely used for galvanizing iron sheets.
2. It is used in the extraction of gold and silver by the cyanide process.
3. Zinc plates and rods are used in batteries and dry cells.
4. Zinc dust and granulated zinc are used in laboratory as reducing agents.