Use of the potentiostatic method to investigate adsorption of xanthate on pyrite

Abstract

1. Using the polarization method the authors have shown that there is adsorption of the collector on the anodic sectors of the mineral surface, accompanied by enhanced polarization and exerting an influence on the results of pyrite flotation. 2. It has been established that the amount of xanthate fixed on a mineral surface decreases in the presence of lime, the reduction being greater the higher the pH. 3. It is shown that the limiting current plateaus on the anodic polarization curves at pH 11.0 are due to electrooxidation of potassium butyl xanthate to the dixanthogenide, the overvoltage of which depends on the degree of coverage of the electrode surface by preliminary chemisorption of the compound. A relation has thus been established between adsorption of the organic substance and the electrooxidation kinetics. 4. A relation has been established between the results of the electrochemical measurements and flotation experiments.