Abstract
ABSTRACT Scheelite and calcite are usually intergrown calcium minerals that are separated via froth flotation. However, their selective separation remains difficult because of their similar surface properties. 2-phosphonobutane −1, 2, 4-tricarboxylic acid (PBTCA or H5L) is widely used in water treatment due to its low phosphorus content and efficient anti-scaling performance. With its excellent calcium-chelating ability, PBTCA was used as a novel depressant to selectively separate scheelite from calcite in this study. The flotation results of single mineral, binary mixed minerals, and real ore showed that PBTCA could selectively depress calcite at pH 9.0 using sodium oleate as collector. The results of zeta potential measurements, solution chemistry calculation, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and density functional theory calculation indicated that the dominant form of PBTCA was L5-. This anion had a stronger adsorption on negatively charged calcite surfaces through electrostatic interaction. Higher Ca density and stronger Ca activity on calcite promote the adsorption of L5-. Moreover, the active O atoms in L5- could better match with two Ca sites on calcite in the interatom distance. Thus, PBTCA provides a new option for calcite depressants and has great industrial application potential.
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