Activation mechanism of copper ion in arsenopyrite flotation in high pH value. (30th March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dong, Jingshen; Liu, Quanjun; Yu, Li; Subhonqulov, S.H.
• Is Part Of: Minerals engineering. Volume 179(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-03-30
• Subjects: Activation -- Copper ions -- Arsenopyrite -- Flotation -- Surface; Mines and mineral resources -- Periodicals; Ressources minérales -- Périodiques; Mines and mineral resources; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 622
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mineng.2022.107465
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0892-6875

Abstract

Highlights: Hydrophobicity of arsenopyrite after copper ion activation was enhanced. Cu2 S layer can be formed on the surface of arsenopyrite after copper ion treatment. Finding the arsenopyrite play a role as reducing agent to participate activation process. Abstract: Arsenopyrite exhibits good floatability after copper activation in a high alkaline environment, leading to harder removal of arsenopyrite from concentrate. In this paper, the activation mechanism of copper ion in arsenopyrite flotation was studied using flotation test, surface adsorption experiments, contact angle measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS), time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) and analysis of Eh-pH diagrams of the FeAsS-H2 O system and Cu-FeAsS-H2 O system. It can be seen from the results that arsenopyrite participates in the chemical reaction as a reducing agent, the copper formed by Cu2 S remained on the mineral surface, and the oxidation state of elements Fe, As and the hydrophilic substance such as arsenate, arsenite and ferric hydroxide was decreased, after activated by copper ions. These phenomenon lead floatability of arsenopyrite activated in alkaline environment.