Abstract
The effect on abraded surfaces of chalcocite, covellite and chalcopyrite of their immersion in ethanol, propan-2-ol or acetone has been determined by synchrotron X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. It was confirmed that the extent of surface oxidation while immersed in these organic solvents can be greater than that from air exposure alone, possibly because of carboxylic acid formation at the solid/liquid interface. In all cases investigated, the surface layer was chemically altered following the immersion, even when primary oxidation products were removed by dissolution in the organic liquid. It is clear that the use of alcohols or ketones should be avoided in the preparation of sulfide surfaces for ex situ chemical characterisation in minerals processing research.
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