Enhanced adsorption of salicylhydroxamic acid on ilmenite surfaces modified by Fenton and its effect on floatability

This work reports a new method of using Fenton to oxidize and modify the ilmenite surface using salicylhydroxamic acid (SHA) as the collector. The activation mechanism of this process was studied by analyzing changes that occurred on the ilmenite surface. Micro-flotation showed that the maximum recovery of ilmenite after treatment with Fenton increased by 37% and attributed to the increase in the adsorbed SHA amount on the ilmenite surface. Zeta potential and XPS measurement data showed that Fenton promoted the conversion of Fe 2+ →Fe 3+ on the ilmenite surface that enhanced SHA adsorption. After adding Fenton, the Fe-SHA complex (formed in the pulp) interacted with the O sites of ilmenite surfaces, and improved the ilmenite floatability. The infrared spectra of the ilmenite+Fenton+SHA system showed several intense bands that indicated enhanced SHA chemisorption on the ilmenite surface. Thus, ilmenite treatment with the Fenton promoted its surface reactivity caused SHA to bind with the ilmenite surface and enhanced the ilmenite floatability.