Selective flotation of ilmenite from titanaugite using 2-amino-1,3-propanediol as a novel depressant

Abstract

In this investigation, micro-flotation, zeta potential measurements, adsorption tests, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) were used to assess the separation mechanism of ilmenite and titanaugite using a novel cationic reagent, 2-amino-1,3-propanediol (APD). The micro-flotation results of single mineral and artificially mixed minerals demonstrated that APD had a negligible impact on ilmenite flotation, whereas it significantly reduced the recovery of titanaugite, resulting in the selective flotation of ilmenite from titanaugite. Zeta potential measurements indicated a significant positive shift in the titanaugite surface potential following interaction with APD, whereas the ilmenite surface potential exhibited a minimal change in the pH range between the isoelectric point (IEP) of the two minerals. The adsorption test demonstrated that a higher quantity of APD adsorbed onto the titanaugite surface than that of ilmenite. Moreover, APD adsorbed onto the titanaugite surface via chemical interaction with active sites containing Ca and Mg, which was confirmed by FTIR and XPS analysis. Overall, APD exhibits favorable adsorption characteristics on the surface of titanaugite through a combination of electrostatic attraction and chemical interaction, whereas its interaction with ilmenite is hindered by electrostatic repulsion. It is hoped that this study will contribute to the development of highly efficient flotation depressants targeting titanaugite in the field of ilmenite flotation.