Surface analytical studies of oxidation and collector adsorption in sulfide mineral flotation

Date

2003

Authors

Smart, R.S.C.
Amarantidis, J.
Skinner, W.M.
Prestidge, C.A.
La Vanier, L.
Grano, S.R.

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Wandelt, K.
Thurgate, S.

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Book chapter

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Source details - Title: Solid-liquid interfaces : macroscopic phenomena - microscopic understanding, 2003 / Wandelt, K., Thurgate, S. (ed./s), Ch.1, pp.3-62

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Abstract

The physical and chemical forms of sulfide mineral surfaces are reviewed. The initial surfaces and oxidation products have been studied by Scanning Auger Microscopy (SAM), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). Changes to surface speciation as a function of time, pH, Eh and collector adsorption, related to mineral flotation, have been followed with these techniques. Oxidation products are formed in different processes, namely: metal_de ficient sulfides, polysulfides and sulfur; oxidized fine sulfide particles; colloidal hydroxide particles and flocs; continuous surface layers (e.g. hydroxide, oxyhydroxide, oxide species) of varying depth; sulfate and carbonate species; isolated, patchwise and face-specific oxide, hydroxide and hydroxycarbonate development. The actions of collector molecules (e.g. xanthates, dithiophosphinates) have been identified in several modes, namely: adsorption to specific surface sites; colloidal precipitation from solution; detachment of small sulfide particles from larger particle surfaces; detachment of small oxide/hydroxide particles; removal of adsorbed and amorphous oxidized surface layers; inhibition of oxidation; disaggregation of larger particles; and patchwise or face-specific coverage. The different modes of oxidation and collector action are exemplified using case studies from the literature and recent research.

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Copyright 2003 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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