Using light to control the floatability of solid particles in aqueous solution of a Gemini surfactant

Abstract

In this paper, we use UV light to control the floatability of solid particles in the aqueous solution of the Gemini surfactant, which has two azobenzene groups. Exposure to UV light affects the interfacial properties of the Gemini surfactant (GS), including surface activities, foam properties, interfacial elasticity and flotation performance. We demonstrate that UV radiation enhances the floatability of quartz particles. But quite surprisingly, the foam stability of the Gemini surfactant solution is observed to decrease after UV radiation. The surfactant adsorption on quartz also decreases with increasing the UV radiation time. The Gemini surfactant is more sensitive to UV radiation than the conventional azobenzene surfactant (AS) in the flotation of quartz particles.