Abstract
Serpentine, a magnesium silicate mineral with positive surface charge in many sulfide ores around the world, usually deteriorates the flotation behavior by covering the target mineral surface. In this paper, the effect of surface potential regulation on serpentine flotation was revealed by flocculation experiments, zeta potential measurements, infrared spectrum analysis, and DLVO theoretical calculations. The experimental results of flocculation and sedimentation show that heterogeneous coagulation easily occurs between serpentine and pyrite particles, which reduces the floatability of pyrite. Reducing the surface potential of serpentine is an effective way to eliminate heterogeneous coagulation between minerals. The key to regulating the surface potential of serpentine is Mg2+ ion dissolution from the serpentine surface to the liquid phase. Phosphates, especially sodium hexametaphosphate, can enhance Mg2+ ion dissolution from the serpentine surface to the liquid phase and react with Mg2+ ions in the liquid phase to form stable soluble complexes.
Highlights
Serpentine is one of the most common magnesium-bearing silicate minerals in nickel/copper sulphide, rhodochrosite, and manganese hydrate ores [1,2,3]
The surface of sulfide minerals is generally negatively charged, and fine serpentine with a positive charge is adsorbed on the sulfide mineral surface with negative charge under the action of an electrostatic adsorption force, which makes the difference in the hydrophobicity and surface properties of sulfide minerals significantly reduced and deteriorates the flotation behavior of sulfide minerals [6,7]
Trisodium phosphonate (TSP), sodium trimetaphosphate (STMP), and sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) of analytically pure grade were obtained from Sinopharm
Summary
Serpentine is one of the most common magnesium-bearing silicate minerals in nickel/copper sulphide, rhodochrosite, and manganese hydrate ores [1,2,3]. The surface of sulfide minerals is generally negatively charged, and fine serpentine with a positive charge is adsorbed on the sulfide mineral surface with negative charge under the action of an electrostatic adsorption force, which makes the difference in the hydrophobicity and surface properties of sulfide minerals significantly reduced and deteriorates the flotation behavior of sulfide minerals [6,7]. 62.32% to 53.47%, and the number of serpentine particles increased from 592 to 1188, which indicates that Mg2+ ions on the serpentine surface seriously affected the dispersion effect between mineral particles. After adding Mg2+ ions to the demagnesium serpentine pulp, the background rate obviously increased (from 53.47% to 58.15%), and the number of serpentine particles decreased to 841, which indicates that the dispersion effect between mineral particles could be affected by Mg2+ ions in solution. Dissolution and Phosphate Complexation of Mg2+ Ions on the Serpentine Surface
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