Chapter 6 - Interaction of flotation reagents with mineral surface

Abstract

In this chapter, interactions of xanthate with pyrite and galena surfaces in the presence and absence of oxygen have been simulated by density functional theory. The influences of surface oxidation by O2 on the interaction of xanthate with mineral surfaces are investigated. Besides, computer modeling and the microcalorimetry method are employed to investigate the adsorption of xanthate, dithiophosphate, and dithiocarbamate on the galena and pyrite surfaces. Moreover, the structure and electron transfer of copper adsorption on the surface of sphalerite and pyrite have also been investigated. The adsorption of hydroxyl and calcium hydroxyl ions (OH− and CaOH+), respectively, on a pyrite (100) surface are simulated to investigate the depression of pyrite by NaOH and CaO. The interactions of cyanide ions with pyrite (100), marcasite (010), and pyrrhotite (001) surfaces are studied. Furthermore, flotation experiments of lead-zinc sulfide minerals are carried out using different dosages of sodium cyanide. Besides, to ascertain the influence of water molecules on thiol collector adsorption at PbS and ZnS surfaces, the computational simulations of three thiol collectors including xanthate, dithiocarbamate, and dithiophosphate adsorb at PbS and ZnS surfaces in the presence and absence of water are performed.