Utilization of novel surfactant N-dodecyl-isopropanolamine as collector for efficient separation of quartz from hematite

Abstract

Abstract In this paper, a novel surfactant N-dodecyl-isopropanolamine (NDIA) has been synthesized and utilized as a collector for flotation separation of quartz from hematite. The flotation performances and adsorption mechanisms of NDIA on quartz are investigated by flotation tests, FT-IR spectra studies, zeta potential measurements, and XPS analysis. Flotation results demonstrate that NDIA has excellent floatability and selectivity on quartz at a wide range of pulp pH (about 4.5–8.0). And the artificially mixed minerals of hematite and quartz could be separated effectively. The concentrate with iron recovery of 93.40% and iron grade of 67.16% is obtained at the slurry pH of 6.65 with 33.33 mg/L NDIA and 13.33 mg/L starch. FT-IR spectra studies, zeta potential measurements and XPS analysis reveal that NDIA could absorb on quartz surface in the forms of strong electrostatic and hydrogen bonding interaction.