Smithsonite Surface Research Articles

Study of selective collecting capacity and mechanism of novel collector PPB1 in the separation of cerussite and smithsonite

The study investigated a novel hydrophobic, selective, low-toxicity, and low-cost sulfhydryl collector, PPB1 for the flotation separation of cerussite and smithsonite, analyzing the underlying separation mechanism. Micro-flotation experiments indicated that efficient flotation separation of cerussite and smithsonite could be achieved at pH 8, with a PPB1 dosage of 200 mg·L−1, and without the addition of depressants or pre-sulfurization. PPB1, as a collector, exhibits excellent selectivity for cerussite and can obtain cerussite concentrate with a recovery of over 90 % from artificial mixed minerals and raw ores. Zeta potential and contact angle measurements on pure minerals revealed that PPB1 exhibited stronger adsorption on the cerussite surface, thus significantly altering the potential and increasing the hydrophobicity of the cerussite surface. FT-IR, XPS analyses and DFT calculations indicated that the sulfhydryl group of PPB1 formed a thiol-metal bond with Pb sites on the cerussite surface by stable chemical adsorption, but without interaction with the smithsonite surface, showcasing its high-selectivity.

Open-Circuit Technology of Zinc Oxide Ore Flotation with Ternary Collector and Its Adsorption Characteristics on Smithsonite Surface

The sulfidization-amine flotation method is commonly used for the beneficiation of zinc oxide ores. Lanping zinc oxide ores contains 8.40% zinc, with the main mineral being smithsonite; additionally, they have a high mud content. Conventional sulfidization–ammonium flotation presents a low flotation index and unsatisfactory flotation froth. A new open-circuit technology is employed to treat Lanping zinc oxide ores, where Na2S, KG-248, and dodecyl amine + sodium isoamyl xanthate + ammonium dibutyl dithiophosphate are used as the regulator, depressant, and ternary collector, respectively. Consequently, the flotation indices for the zinc grade and recovery are 28.71% and 86.24%, respectively, and the flotation froth becomes more stable. Subsequently, the flotation behavior and adsorption mechanism of smithsonite with a ternary collector are investigated. The flotation recovery of smithsonite increases to 94.40% after treatment with the ternary collector. Surface-analysis results indicate that the ternary collector can synergistically adsorb onto the sulfidized smithsonite surface to enhance its hydrophobicity, thus increasing the floatability of smithsonite. Meanwhile, the total consumption of the collector in the ternary-collector system is lower than that in the binary- or unitary-collector system.

Sulfidation of Smithsonite via Microwave Roasting under Low-Temperature Conditions

This study employs microwave roasting to decompose smithsonite mineral (zinc carbonate) into zinc oxide, which then reacts with pyrite to sulfurize its surface, forming zinc sulfide. This process is beneficial for the flotation recovery of zinc oxide minerals. The surface sulfidation behavior of smithsonite under low-temperature microwave roasting conditions is examined through X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermodynamic calculations. XRD and thermodynamic analysis indicate that smithsonite completely decomposes into zinc oxide at 400 °C. Introducing a small amount of pyrite as a sulfidizing reagent leads to the formation of sulfides on the surface of decomposed smithsonite. XPS analysis confirms that the sulfide formed on the surface is zinc sulfide. SEM analysis reveals that sulfides are distributed on the surface of smithsonite, and the average sulfur concentration increases with the pyrite dosage. Microwave-assisted sulfurization of smithsonite (ZnCO3) was found to significantly enhance its floatability compared to conventional sulfurization methods. The optimal mass ratio of ZnCO3 to FeS2 is approximately 1:1.5, with the best temperature being 400 °C. These findings provide a technical solution for the application of microwave roasting in the efficient recovery of smithsonite through flotation.

Effect of Pre-Sulfidization on the Octadecyl Amine Adsorption on the Smithsonite Surface and Its Flotation.

The low-grade zinc oxide ore was sulfidized to increase the efficiency of flotation, but the effect of pre-sulfidization on the adsorption mechanism of octadecyl amine (ODA) on the smithsonite surface is currently unclear. In this study, the effect of pre-sulfidization on the adsorption mechanism of ODA and the flotation behavior was studied using smithsonite and pre-sulfidized smithsonite as the samples by zeta potential, contact angle measurement, total organic carbon analyzer (TOC), quartz microcrystalline balance (QCM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and micro-flotation tests. Micro-flotation tests showed that the pretreatment of sulfidization could improve the floatability of smithsonite. Zeta potential and contact angle measurements demonstrated that pre-sulfidization could favor the adsorption of ODA, which is further confirmed by the adsorption tests of ODA using TOC and QCM. Furthermore, FTIR and XPS analysis showed that pre-sulfidization changes the adsorption mode of ODA, changing it from physical adsorption to chemical adsorption. These results suggested that the favorable effect of pre-sulfidization on the adsorption of ODA and the flotation of smithsonite might provide important guidance for industrial application.

Atomic insights into the interaction mechanism underpinning carbonate ion adsorption in smithsonite flotation

In industrial practice, smithsonite flotation separation and purification are nearly invariably conducted in highly alkaline environments. According to latest studies, sodium carbonate is a cheap, sustainable, stable, and safe substitute pH modifier that additionally assists with deep extraction recovery of smithsonite. In this work, the influence of carbonate as a pH modifier on smithsonite flotation behavior was comprehensively explored through flotation experiments, contact angle tests, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) investigations, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. In comparison to sodium hydroxide, smithsonite exhibits far better floatability and hydrophobicity in the carbonate system, as demonstrated by the results of micro-flotation and contact angle experiments. XPS demonstrates that the underlying reason of the distinct pH modifications of smithsonite floatability in the carbonate system is the creation of different zinc-containing compounds, with the highly reactive CO32- forming a Zn5(CO3)2(OH)6 complex with Zn atoms at pH 10.5. Comprehensive DFT calculations further demonstrated that the hybridization reactions between Zn 2 s, O 2 s, and O 2p orbitals and the formation of stable Zn-O covalent bonds between OH- and Zn atoms shielded the preferential adsorption of oleate (OL-) on the smithsonite surface. Uniquely, the ionic bonding generated by carbonate is distinguished by the formation of a low-bonding-capacity Zn-O chemical bond, causing it susceptible to breaking during adsorption competition and allowing OL- to adsorb preferentially on Zn sites.

Influence of carboxymethyl chitosan on selective flotation separation of smithsonite from calcite with sodium oleate

Addressing the persistent challenge of separating smithsonite from calcite using flotation method, this study explores the impact of carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) on selective separation using sodium oleate (NaOL) assisted flotation. Results indicated a substantial reduction in calcite recovery to 2.25 % with the addition of 40 mg/L CMCS at pH 9, while recovery of smithsonite remained essentially unchanged at 94.78 %. Moreover, we found that using CMCS as the depressant can effectively separate smithsonite from calcite, based on the flotation testing results with artificially mixed minerals. Contact angle tests results showed that CMCS can significantly lower the surface hydrophobicity of calcite without any negative effect on that of smithsonite when using NaOL as a collector. TOC, FTIR, AFM, and ToF-SIMS analyses demonstrated stronger adsorption of CMCS on the surface of calcite compared to smithsonite. XPS data, solution chemical analysis and DFT revealed interaction between –COO- in CMCS with Ca sites on the surface of calcite because of the electrostatic adsorption and chemical adsorption, forming −COOCa. It leaded to shielding effects on the NaOL adsorption stemming, which makes NaOL more adsorbed on smithsonite surface.

Enhancing Sulfidization and Flotation of Smithsonite Using Eco-Friendly Triethanolamine: Insights from Experimental and Simulation Studies.

Triethanolamine (TEA) is a promising eco-friendly alternative to inorganic ammonia for enhancing surface sulfidization and flotation recovery of smithsonite. Micro-flotation experiments revealed an enhancement in smithsonite recovery to 95.21% with TEA modification, comparable to the results obtained using ammonia. The mechanisms behind the ability of TEA to enhance the sulfidization process were investigated through surface analysis and molecular dynamics simulations. TEA modification increased the content of sulfidization products, the proportion of crucial S22- in adsorbed products, and the thickness and size of the sulfidization product layer. The complexation of TEA with Zn sites formed positively charged Zn-TEA complexes that adsorb onto the smithsonite surface. These complexes promoted negatively charged HS- adsorption, creating a multi-layered adsorption structure. Moreover, TEA modification reduced the total energy required for the sulfidization. These findings open up new possibilities for using eco-friendly reagents in mineral processing, highlighting the potential of TEA in green mineral processing practices.

A novel activation method for regulating surface characteristics and flotation performance of smithsonite: XPS, SEM-EDS, AFM, ToF-SIMS and FT-IR studies

Smithsonite is a typical zinc oxide mineral, and the flotation index is not ideal for the recovery of smithsonite via sulfidization–xanthate flotation. In this study, Pb2+ was used as an activator for the stepwise activation of smithsonite in a sulfidization–xanthate flotation system. Micro-flotation tests and various surface analytical assays were employed to investigate the effects of Pb2+ stepwise activation on the flotation behavior and surface properties of smithsonite. The micro-flotation tests revealed that the flotation recovery of smithsonite reached 90.26 % after the stepwise activation of Pb2+ at an appropriate concentration. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry indicated that abundant active sites of Pb components appeared on the smithsonite surface after Pb2+ stepwise activation, which promoted the adsorption of S ions on the smithsonite surface. The increase in the proportion of the PbS component after sulfidization effectively enhanced the reaction activity of the mineral surface. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and contact angle measurements showed that xanthate could be stably adsorbed on the smithsonite surface after Pb2+ stepwise activation, thereby enhancing the surface hydrophobicity and flotation behavior of smithsonite. Therefore, Pb2+ stepwise activation can promote sulfidization on the smithsonite surface, improve the reactivity and hydrophobicity of the mineral surface, and substantially increase the flotation index of smithsonite.

Molecular insights into the interaction mechanism of triethylenetetramine target-deposited quartz from smithsonite in carbonate ionic liquids and its adsorption on minerals

In order to induce alterations in the mineral surface’s hydrophobicity and subsequently separate smithsonite from quartz, the current study introduces an innovative amine depressant termed triethylenetetramine (TETA). Micro-flotation experiments clearly demonstrated that adding a relatively modest dosage (20 mg/L) of TETA at pH 10 reduced the recovery of quartz from 92.2 % to 22.5 % without reducing the recovery of smithsonite. ICP-OES and zeta potentials revealed that TETA selectively adsorbed on the quartz surface effectively reduced Zn2+ dissolution and altered the setting of the quartz surface to preferentially adsorb NaOL on the smithsonite surface. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) analyses support that TETA is more susceptible to Zn atoms in Zn5(OH)6(CO3)2(s) through a bonding process and preferentially chemisorbs on the quartz surface to the exclusion of Zn-CO3 on the smithsonite surface. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that electron acceptance by Zn and electron loss by N resulted in hybridization reactions between Zn 2 s, 3d, 4p and N 2p orbitals to form stable Zn-N covalent bonds. Chemical bonds characterized by ionic bonding were formed between TETA and Zn atoms on the cleavage plane of smithsonite, which led to the susceptibility of TETA adsorption on the surface of smithsonite to be broken.

Influences of coordination structures on the electronic properties of Zn ion and the adsorption of O-containing and S-containing molecules

Ligands in minerals have an important effect on the chemical properties of metal ions. The electronic properties of Zn ions formed by O and S ligands have been studied using density functional theory (DFT), and the interaction strength between O and S-containing molecules and Zn ions has been analyzed. The results show that the electronic properties of Zn ions may be influenced by the type of ligands, the number of ligands, and the distance between ligands and Zn ions. The adsorption capacity of zinc ions decreased with an the in increase ligand coordination number, but increased with an increase in the distance between the ligand and zinc ion. The adsorption of O- and S-containing molecules on sphalerite smithsonite and hemimorphite was then studied. It was indicated that O-containing molecules had a strong collecting ability for sphalerite, smithsonite and hemimorphite, but the adsorption capacity of S-containing molecules was weaker than that of O-containing molecules. The influence of water molecules on the adsorption behavior of O- and S-containing molecules was studied. The results of the calculations show that the relationship between H2O and O-containing sulfur-containing molecules is competitive adsorption on the surface of sphalerite smithsonite and hemimorphite. Adsorption of water molecules can reduce the adsorption energy of O-containing and S-containing molecules on mineral surfaces.

Green, multiple-ligand collector sodium myristoyl glutamate for flotation of smithsonite

Zinc oxide ore containing smithsonite is a refractory ore, and it is difficult to separate smithsonite and calcite with traditional flotation collectors. A new collector was developed in this study, the multiligand biodegradable biosurfactant sodium myristoyl glutamate (SMG), which used calcium lignosulfonate (CLS) as a calcite depressant for the flotation of smithsonite. Microflotation experiments showed that SMG was an effective smithsonite flotation collector, with a recovery of more than 95 % after it reached a specific concentration. Adding CLS could achieve a considerable difference in flotation recovery rates between smithsonite and calcite. Adsorption of the collector on the mineral surface was analyzed. The contact angle, zeta potential, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) results confirmed that SMG was strongly adsorbed on smithsonite. Moreover, the depressant CLS was strongly adsorbed on the surface of calcite, and less was adsorbed on the surface of smithsonite. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirmed that the amino group in SMG promoted the binding of adjacent carboxyl groups to metal sites on the mineral surface. These results indicated that SMG, which is a biodegradable biosurfactant, is a promising collector for the selective recovery of smithsonite from calcite through flotation.

The application and mechanism of degradable activator biologically small molecule organic acids in smithsonite flotation

Utilizing an efficient activator is an efficient solution to overcome the low recovery flotation of zinc oxide ore. We proposed amino acids as new high-efficiency biological activators for zinc oxide ore flotation and systematically studied the effects of amino acids as activators in the flotation of zinc oxide ore. Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and density functional theory (DFT) calculations were conducted to reveal the activation mechanism of amino acids in smithsonite flotation. The results showed that tryptophan (Trp) significantly promoted the floatability of smithsonite by coordinating with zinc sites on the surface of smithsonite. The addition of Trp broke the Zn-O bonds in the crystal and exposed more highly active Zn on the crystal surface, which easily reacted with sodium oleate. At the same time, Trp increased the concentration of Zn2+ in the pulp, and an appropriate amount of Zn2+ in the solution owned a certain activation effect, which finally improved the adsorption of NaOL on the surface of smithsonite. DFT showed that Trp interacted strongly with smithsonite, and the carboxyl O atom of Trp coordinated with Zn on the surface of smithsonite.

Flotation behavior and mechanism of smithsonite under the system of bidentate ligand sulfide sodium thiocyanate

The sulfuration pretreatment is essential in enhancing the floatability of zinc oxide ore during the flotation process. The conventional vulcanizing agent employed in the sulfuration process, however, has proven to be ineffective and environmentally unfriendly. The dosage of this agent must be strictly regulated to ensure optimal flotation efficiency of zinc oxide ore, as excessive or insufficient amounts can have a negative impact. To address these issues, a more efficient and environmentally friendly vulcanization agent called sodium thiocyanate (NaSCN) has been introduced to enhance the sulfuration flotation of smithsonite. It also demonstrated the effective sulfidation of smithsonite by sodium thiocyanate, which also exhibits superior vulcanization effects compared to sodium sulfide. By applying NaSCN at a concentration of 6 × 10-4 mol/L, the recovery rate of zinc ore can achieve 88.75 %. Moreover, the vulcanization conditions utilizing sodium thiocyanate offer greater ease of management. The vulcanization mechanism of smithsonite was investigated through FTIR, Zeta potential, and XPS analysis. The findings indicate that the dentate ligand SCN– derived from sodium thiocyanate can undergo chemical adsorption onto the surface of smithsonite through either sulfur (S) or nitrogen (N) elements. The interaction leads to the formation of zinc-thiocyanate anions, which enhance the surface hydrophobicity and expand the mineral collection sites. The overall findings suggest that sodium thiocyanate exhibits promising potential as a highly efficient vulcanization agent for smithsonite, providing valuable insights for the flotation of this mineral.

Experimental and molecular dynamics simulation study on DDA/DDTC mixed collector co-adsorption on sulfidized smithsonite surfaces

The significance of zinc oxide ore as an important supplementary source to meet the growing demand for zinc resources has been underscored. In this study, a combination of dodecylamine (DDA) and sodium diethyl dithiocarbamate (DDTC) was employed as a mixed collector system to enhance the flotation of smithsonite. The utilization of the DDA/DDTC mixed collector led to a remarkable flotation performance improvement of nearly 30% compared to using 2 × 10-4 M DDA alone. The evidence for the synergistic effect of DDA and DDTC was demonstrated through measurements of adsorption capacity and zeta potential. Moreover, solution surface tension measurements indicated that the mixed collector system contributed to a decrease in surface tension. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were employed to verify the simultaneous physisorption and chemisorption of DDA and DDTC on the sulfidized smithsonite surface. Additionally, the variation in contact angles demonstrated that the mixed collector effectively enhanced the hydrophobicity of smithsonite. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations revealed that DDTC and DDA undergo multilayer adsorption on the smithsonite (101) surface, with DDTC promoting the adsorption of DDA.

Study on the Reverse Flotation Separation of Smithsonite from Dolomite Using the Saponified 2-(4,4-Dimethylpentan-2-yl)-5,7,7-trimethyloctanoic Acid as a Collector

Dolomite, a prominent calcium-bearing gangue mineral found in carbonate-type zinc oxide ores, poses a significant challenge for effective flotation separation alongside smithsonite due to their highly similar surface properties. The present study explores the potential of 2-(4,4-dimethylpentan-2-yl)-5,7,7-trimethyloctanoic acid (2-DMPT) as a collector for the reverse flotation of smithsonite from dolomite. Micro-flotation experiments indicated that saponified 2-DMPT exhibited superior collecting ability and selectivity for dolomite over smithsonite under highly alkaline conditions. Specifically, the flotation recovery of dolomite reached 62%, whereas only 6% of smithsonite was recovered in the flotation foam products. Zeta potential and attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) analysis revealed that changes in pH values had minimal influence on the collector’s adsorption onto dolomite, while significantly hindering its adsorption on the smithsonite surface. Furthermore, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis showed that 2-DMPT could form hydrophobic complexes with the active Ca2+ sites on the dolomite surface at pH 11.5. However, the interaction between smithsonite and carboxylic groups of 2-DMPT under the same conditions was relatively weaker, facilitating their reverse flotation separation. As a result, 2-DMPT shows promise as a potential collector for the reverse flotation process, effectively removing dolomite from smithsonite and reducing acid consumption in subsequent acid-leaching processes.

Novel 3-Tetradecylamine Propyl Amidoxime Collector for Selective Adsorption on the Surface of Smithsonite for Flotation Separation of Smithsonite from Calcite

Novel 3-Tetradecylamine Propyl Amidoxime Collector for Selective Adsorption on the Surface of Smithsonite for Flotation Separation of Smithsonite from Calcite

Synergetic adsorption of dodecylamine and octyl hydroxamic acid on sulfidized smithsonite: Insights from experiments and molecular dynamics simulation

The escalating demand for zinc resources has been positioning zinc oxide ore as an invaluable supplementary resource to cater to zinc supply requirements. There is now a growing focus on optimizing the efficient flotation of zinc oxide ore. In this study, experiments were conducted using dodecylamine (DDA) and octyl hydroxamic acid (OHA) as combined collectors, along with pre-sulfidization by sodium sulfide, to enhance smithsonite flotation. The use of the DDA–OHA combined collector resulted in a significant improvement of over 25% in the recovery when compared with the use of DDA as a single collector. Adsorption capacity measurements and zeta potential measurements provided evidence for the synergistic effect of DDA and OHA. Solution surface tension measurements indicated that the combined collector system helped stabilize the flotation foam. Analysis of treated smithsonite by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy further verified the chemical and physical adsorption of DDA and OHA on the surface of smithsonite. The measurement of contact angles of treated smithsonite showed that the combined collector effectively increased the hydrophobicity of the mineral. Molecular dynamics simulations suggested that OHA and DDA undergo multilayer adsorption on the sulfidized smithsonite (101) surface and that the presence of OHA promotes the adsorption of DDA.

Applying the surface differences in the sulfophilic and oxyphilic affinities for reverse flotation separation of calcite from smithsonite

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of sodium sulfide (Na2S) as a selective depressant in the reverse flotation of calcite from smithsonite. Additionally, the objective is to gain insights into the underlying mechanism driving this selectivity. The findings of flotation experiments showed that Na2S can strongly depress smithsonite but not depress calcite when a fatty acid collector was used. The presence vs. absence of Na2S produced a significant difference in Gaudin's selectivity index value (1.08 vs. 81.21), showing a significant impact of Na2S in selectively depressing smithsonite during the flotation process. The results of the contact angle measurement provided strong support for the flotation test findings. The results from attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis and NaOL adsorption measurements indicated that Na2S prevented NaOL adsorption on the smithsonite surface but not on the calcite surface. Furthermore, the results from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and field-emission scanning electron microscopy revealed that the sulfide species dissolved from Na2S exhibited a strong affinity for the smithsonite surface but not for the calcite surface. Based on these findings, a selective depression mechanism was proposed. When the concentration of Na2S is sufficient, the formed ZnS nanoparticles cover the smithsonite with high density, thereby limiting the diffusion of residual sulfide species to the smithsonite surface. Thus, an interfacial boundary layer containing residual sulfide species forms, hindering the adsorption of NaOL on the smithsonite surface. In contrast, the dissolved sulfide species cannot form specific bonds with the calcite surface, thus having no significant effect on the adsorption of NaOL on the calcite surface. In conclusion, the mineral surface differences in the sulfophilic and oxyphilic affinities contribute the high selectivity and strong depression performance of Na2S during the reverse flotation separation of calcite from smithsonite, when using fatty acid as a collector.

Adsorption study of sesbania gum onto calcite surface: Implications for smithsonite-calcite flotation separation

In the present study, sesbania gum (SG) was introduced as a depressant to achieve the selective flotation separation of smithsonite from calcite, and the deep adsorption mechanism was systematically examined using a variety of methods, including density functional theory (DFT) calculation and a series of advanced analytical manners. Micro-flotation experiments indicated that SG strongly depressed the flotation of calcite at pH 9.5, while having little impact on the flotation of smithsonite, leading to the successful separation of the two minerals. DFT calculation predicted that SG could be adsorbed onto the calcite surface, but not onto the hydroxylated smithsonite surface in an aqueous solution system. This was supported by zeta potential tests, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) tests, and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) detection. As a result, the adsorption of sodium oleate (NaOL) onto the calcite surface was hindered by the pre-adsorption of SG, while the adsorption of NaOL onto the smithsonite surface was not affected. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscope (AFM) tests confirmed that SG was mainly adsorbed onto the calcite surface via physical adsorption. This finding provided a new perspective for the interaction between mineral and hydroxyl containing depressant.

Flotation Separation of Smithsonite from Calcite Using Cupferron as a Collector

The flotation separation of smithsonite and calcite is difficult due to their similar surface properties. In this study, cupferron was applied as a collector to realize the separation of smithsonite and calcite. Micro-flotation experiment results indicated that smithsonite and calcite express different floatability after treatment with cupferron. The maximum recovery difference was 63%, from a cupferron concentration of 2 × 10−4 mol/L at pH 8. Based on a series of tests, including an adsorption test, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), zeta potential and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), the selective collection mechanism of cupferron was studied. It was found that the cupferron was more easily adsorbed on the surface of smithsonite and the reaction was violent. The adsorption capacity of the cupferron on the surface of smithsonite was higher than that of calcite, and the surface potential shift was greater. The cupferron chelated with the exposed Zn sites on the smithsonite surface to form a N-O-Zn ring structure. This special chelate structure caused the smithsonite surface to be more hydrophobic, which confirmed that the cupferron can selectively collect smithsonite instead of calcite.