Abstract
Digenite fine particles are easily oxidized and ferric ions (Fe3+) commonly exist in the flotation pulp of digenite. This study investigated the effect of Fe3+ on the sulfidization flotation of oxidized digenite fine particles using sodium butyl xanthate (SBX) as a collector. The results of microflotation experiments show that the flotation rate and recovery of oxidized digenite fine particles can be improved by adding Na2S and SBX, whereas the existence of large amounts of Fe3+ is not beneficial for the sulfidization flotation of digenite. The results of Fe3+ adsorption, zeta potential, and contact angle measurements indicate that Fe3+ can be adsorbed on the digenite surface mainly in the form of Fe(OH)3, which hinders the adsorption of SBX and significantly reduces the surface hydrophobicity of digenite. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis further suggests that the poor surface hydrophobicity of digenite in the presence of Fe3+ is due to the production of large amounts of hydrophilic iron and copper oxides/hydroxides on the surface. Furthermore, optical microscopy analysis shows that these hydrophilic species effectively disperse digenite fine particles in the pulp, which eventually leads to the poor floatability of digenite. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the amount of Fe3+ present in the pulp and adsorbed on digenite surface before sulfidization to realize effective separation of oxidized digenite fine particles and iron sulfide minerals.
Highlights
Copper is an important nonferrous metal and has extensive applications in the fields of medicine, machine manufacturing, and electrical and national defense industries [1,2].Copper sulfide minerals are the main source of copper, and they are usually recovered by flotation methods
In this study, the sulfidization technology was applied to try to restore the floatability of oxidized digenite fine particles, and the effect of Fe3+ on its sulfidization flotation was investigated
Na2 S and sodium butyl xanthate (SBX) were added, the contact angle was 31.7◦, which is far less than that of the sample without the addition of Fe3+. This indicates that the adsorption of Fe3+ reduced the surface hydrophobicity of digenite with different treatments, which further decreased in its floatability
Summary
Copper is an important nonferrous metal and has extensive applications in the fields of medicine, machine manufacturing, and electrical and national defense industries [1,2]. HS- reacts with the base metal ions on or dissolved from the surface to produce the base metal copper sulfide-like minerals, increasing the effectiveness of the collectors and the floatability of the base metal oxide minerals. Based on this principle, sulfidization has been widely used to treat oxidized sulfide minerals, such as digenite, chalcopyrite, and pyrite [16,17,18,19]. In this study, the sulfidization technology was applied to try to restore the floatability of oxidized digenite fine particles, and the effect of Fe3+ on its sulfidization flotation was investigated. This study is expected to provide further clarification regarding the effective sulfidization flotation of fine particles of oxidized copper sulfide mineral
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
