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Abstract

A reticulate cathode, for use in an electrolytic cell for scavenging a metal from a solution containing ions of the metal, comprising an open cell electrically conductive foam which has been coated with conductive carbon particles. A cathode assembly comprises an electrically conductive support member to which the conductive foam is secured, the support also serving as the current conductor. The resistivity of the foam is less than 3000 ohm-cm, preferably in the range from about 40-1000 ohm-cm, and it has a pore size in the range from about 10 pores per inch (ppi) to about 100 ppi, and a void fraction in the range from about 0.5 to about 0.98. In its most preferred embodiment, the cathode is preplated with copper in an amount from about 0.5-20 g/ft.sup.2 of active area, sufficient to impart rigidity to the cathde and avoid using a support member.

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First Claim