Activation of quartz flotation by Cu2+, Ni2+ in the sodium ethylxanthogenate (EX) system

During the flotation of metal sulfide minerals, due to interference unavoidable ions, quartz also partially floats in some cases. The research on mechanism being activated and floating up is still insufficient. In this study, influence ions Cu2+ Ni2+ floatation was studied by micro-flotation experiments, adsorption detection, zeta potential measurement, solution composition calculation, infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis, X-ray photoelectron (XPS) atomic force microscopy (AFM) observation. This provides a theoretical reference for further understanding sodium ethylxanthogenate surface, as well development new depressant. results showed that after activation Cu2+(1×10-4 mol/L) Ni2+(5×10-5 mol/L), captured (EX:1.4×10-4 under alkaline conditions, while best recoveries were 80% 43%, respectively. measurement Zeta precipitation rate greater than conditions. addition, both electrostatically adsorbed surface changed quartz. calculation Cu(OH)+, Cu(OH)2(s), Ni(OH)+, Ni(OH)2(s) main components FT-IR XPS AFM observations revealed Cu species Ni O atoms providing active sites EX adsorption.