Preface

Copper has accompanied human development for thousands of years in different fields and forms. During the Copper Age, copper was employed in its native form. Later, bronze comprising copper and tin was discovered. The wide utilization of copper in the form of this alloy, and some others that appeared later, including brass (Cu-Zn) or alpaca (Cu-Ni-Zn), highlighted copper metallurgy's importance. These alloys were widely used in bells, ornamental parts, weapons, body armors, and more due to their excellent properties, including their high mechanical, corrosion, and wear resistance. In addition, the discoveries of Michael Faraday in the electricity field represented a new use for copper. He constructed the first electrical generator, and subsequent developments in electricity led to the current importance of copper as an electrical conductor. This widespread use of copper in the field of electrical conduction, and in heat transfer applications, has led to an increase in copper production. Copper is being used in new applications, such as those in biomedicine, increasing its importance as a fundamental functional material.

Written by expert researchers from around the world, this book is organized into two sections: "Copper Mining and Processing" and "Copper Applications." Section 1, "Copper Mining and Processing", includes three chapters dedicated to copper mining and metallurgy.

Chapter 1 provides an overview of copper, from the ore to the final metal. It includes a description of the main ores, the technologies used to produce copper, and its final applications. The chapter concludes with a novel process of copper extraction from slags using solar energy.

Chapter 2 focuses on a theoretical and experimental study of an electroosmotic drainage technique applied to copper mining. It provides an interesting study about water permeability in a copper mine pile.

Chapter 3 emphasizes the refractory lining of the furnaces used to produce copper. It analyzes the different processes and materials and how they interact with the refractories. It also describes the families employed in copper metallurgy.

Section 2, "Copper Applications", includes four chapters on different copper applications in different fields.

Chapter 4 analyzes the problem of halogenated organic compounds and how to deal with them using a system comprising metallic copper and borohydride as an alternative to nano zerovalent iron (nZVI) and palladium (Pd). This system might be an attractive alternative for the treatment of water and wastewater.

Chapter 5 studies the influence of non-covalent interactions on the complexes formed by various biomolecules with the copper cation using the method of density functional theory. This study is interesting for biomedical applications.

Chapter 6 focuses on additive manufacturing applied to copper. It describes the relevant technologies and applications while examining the current technological gaps and proposing strategies to overcome them.

Finally, Chapter 7 concludes with a study of modelling and theoretical aspects of copper-nickel alloy.

The process of publishing this book was long and complicated and thus I want to thank everyone for their support. Moreover, I want to acknowledge the authors for their interesting contributions, willingness to share their research and experience, and for their hard work in making this book possible. I also want to acknowledge Professor of Metallurgy Luis Felipe Verdeja from the Oviedo School of Mines, University of Oviedo, Spain for his support during the preparation of this book. Finally, I want to express my gratitude to IntechOpen for the initiative to publish this book about copper. Edited books are always a good platform to share knowledge from a multidisciplinary point of view.

### **Daniel Fernández-González**

Section 1

Copper Mining and Processing

Center for Research in Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology-Spanish National Research Council (CINN-CSIC), El Entrego, Asturias, Spain

### **Luis Felipe Verdeja González**

University of Oviedo, Oviedo-Uviéu, Asturias, Spain Section 1
