MINERALS ENGINEERING
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2023
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IF 4.8
Jiahui Wu,Longhua Xu,Donghui Wang,Kai Xue,Xinzhang Shi,Lin Peng,Jiushuai Deng
Removing calcite is a tricky problem in smithsonite flotation because of its better floatability. 1-Hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP), a scale inhibitor in water treatment industry, was chosen as a calcite depressant. This study validated the effectiveness of HEDP in separating smithsonite from calcite by flotation using sodium oleate (NaOL) as the collector, and obtained a 70% recovery difference in a single mineral flotation. Artificial mixed mineral flotation obtained a concentrate with a grade of 44% and a recovery of more than 80%. Zeta potential, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) tests were conducted to obtained some crucial information on the adsorption of NaOL and HEDP, demonstrating that the adsorption of HEDP on calcite surfaces was stronger than smithsonite. The intense adsorption of HEDP on calcite surfaces was attributed to chelation with surface calcium sites. Quantum chemical calculations suggested that the selectivity of HEDP was closely related to the phosphate groups. HEDP was chemically adsorbed on calcite surface by complexing with calcium sites to form six-membered ring chelate. Partial oxygen atoms of phosphate groups dominated in the reaction with calcium sites, and the deprotonation of phosphate groups enhanced the reactivity.
研究领域:
矿物加工工程
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表面化学
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DOI
高影响因子
POWDER TECHNOLOGY
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2019
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IF 3.413
Bin Luo,Quanjun Liu,Jiushuai Deng,Li Yu,Hao Lai,Chao Song,Shimei Li
Beneficiation of zinc from low-grade oxidized zinc ores has become the focus of recent studies. Sulfidation is an important process to recover zinc from oxidized zinc ores in flotation . Although some studies have reported on the sulfidation-flotation of smithsonite, the effect of sulfide ions on sulfide film thickness remains unknown when the oxidized zinc ores start floating and achieve excellent flotation. In this work, the influence of sulfur ions on smithsonite flotation in a dodecylamine system were investigated by micro-flotation experiments, inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), zeta potential measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS). Micro-flotation experiment results show that smithsonite starts floating after treatment with a low S concentration of 5 × 10 −5 mol/L, while excellent flotation was obtained following treatment with a high S concentration of 5 × 10 −4 mol/L. Compared to the low S solution, excellent hydrophobicity of smithsonite was obtained owing to the adsorption of more sulfide ions, making the mineral surface potential more negative, and forming a thicker heterogeneous zinc-sulfide film that primary consists of zinc monosulfide and zinc polysulfide . The zinc-sulfide film thickness on the smithsonite surface was approximately 7.79 nm when the smithsonite started floating, while excellent floatation was obtained as the zinc-sulfide film thickness reached about 12.13 nm.
研究领域:
矿物加工工程
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冶金工程
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DOI
高影响因子
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
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2018
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IF 4.439
Kai Jia,Qiming Feng,Guofan Zhang,Wanying Ji,Wukai Zhang,Bingqian Yang
Smithsonite is a readily dissolvable carbonate mineral that is naturally hydrophilic, making recovery of this ore by flotation difficult. The flotation results showed that conditioning with only sodium sulfide (Na 2 S) did not successfully allow the smithsonite samples to float, whereas treatment with a combination of S(II), Pb(II) and xanthate (with Na 2 S as the sulfurizing reagent, lead ions (Pb(II)) as the activator, and xanthate as the collector) improved the flotation of smithsonite, achieving a mass recovery of 95.8%. A combination of analytical techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), in conjunction with depth profiling , was used to investigate the chemical nature of the sulfur and lead species on the smithsonite surface. For S(II)-conditioned smithsonite, a layer of ZnS formed on the smithsonite (ZnCO 3 ) substrates; this newly formed ZnS coating was amorphous or poorly crystallized. For smithsonite samples conditioned with S(II) and Pb(II), the microstructures and the phase constituents, obtained by AFM and XRD analyses, confirmed the formation of the PbS species with a cubic galena structure on the surface. XPS depth profiling showed that the PbS layer was 18-nm thick, which corresponds to 30 PbS molecular layers . This study presents direct evidence that the coating of the activation product, PbS, on the smithsonite surface was similar to a relatively thick galena layer, which led to successful flotation.
研究领域:
矿物学
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材料科学
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化学工程
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DOI
高影响因子
Minerals
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2018
·Vol. 9
·期 1
·15
·
IF 1.835
Bin Luo,Junbo Liu,Quanjun Liu,Chao Song,Li Yu,Shimei Li,Hao Lai
Zinc is mostly extracted from oxidized zinc and zinc sulfide minerals, and this process involves flotation as a key step. While it is easier to float the sulfide mineral, its consumption and depletion has led to an increased reliance on oxidized zinc minerals, including smithsonite. Hence, the development of efficient ways of collecting smithsonite by flotation is an important objective. Herein, we describe the use of 2-(hexadecanoylamino)acetic acid (HAA), a novel surfactant, as a collector during smithsonite flotation. The mechanism and flotation performance of HAA during smithsonite flotation was investigated by total organic carbon (TOC) content studies, zeta potential measurements, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses, combined with microflotation experiments. The flotation results revealed that HAA was an excellent collector in pulp over a wide pH range (9–12) and at a relatively low concentration (2 × 10−4mol/L), at which a recovery of close to 90% of the smithsonite mineral was obtained. TOC content studies revealed that the good flotation recovery was ascribable to large amounts of collector molecule adsorbed on the smithsonite surface, while zeta potential measurements showed that the HAA was chemically adsorbed onto the smithsonite. FTIR and XPS analyses revealed that the HAA collector molecules adsorbed onto the smithsonite surface as zinc–HAA complexes involving carboxylate moieties and Zn sites on the smithsonite surface in alkaline solution.Keywords:smithsonite;flotation;2-(hexadecanoylamino)acetic acid;collector;adsorption
研究领域:
矿物加工工程
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表面化学
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DOI
高影响因子
Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers
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2026
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IF 6.3
Xiaoqi Ban,Jin Yao,Wanzhong Yin,Wenju Sun,Taozhong Zhang,Chao Yin,Weifan Du,Junfeng Wang,Yulian Wang
Background The efficient separation of smithsonite from quartz remains a key bottleneck in the valorization of oxidized zinc ores. Conventional sulfidization flotation suffers from high reagent consumption, complex procedures, and elevated costs, highlighting the urgent need for novel processes and selective collectors for effective desilication and purification. Methods Microflotation experiments, zeta potential measurements, surface wettability analyses, FTIR, XPS, AFM, and ToF-SIMS were employed to investigate the flotation selectivity and interfacial interaction mechanisms of N-hexadecyl-N-methylpiperidinium bromide (HMPB) in the reverse flotation desilication of smithsonite. Findings Outstanding separation performance was achieved at pH 7.0 with an HMPB dosage of 7.5 mg/L, yielding a zinc concentrate grade of 47.01% and a recovery of 93.69%. The ζ-potential, wettability, FTIR, and XPS analyses confirmed that HMPB selectively interact with oxygen sites on quartz via synergistic electrostatic and hydrogen-bonding interactions, significantly increasing surface potential, hydrophobicity, and adhesion work, while showing negligible influence on smithsonite. Furthermore, AFM and ToF-SIMS analyses revealed the formation of a continuous HMPB adsorption layer exclusively on the quartz surface, where the distribution of organic fragments strongly correlates with Si rather than Zn, confirming the pronounced selectivity of HMPB for quartz and its effectiveness in sustainable desilication and purification.
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高影响因子
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
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2025
·
IF 6.9
Zhenhao Guan,Ying Zhang,Runpeng Liao,Jian Liu,Qicheng Feng,Shuming Wen
The present study investigated the interaction mechanism between α-nitroso-β-naphthol (αNβN) and smithsonite, and analyzed its performance in the dodecylamine (DDA) collector system. The results showed that at pH 8.0 and 10 mg/L DDA, the flotation recovery of smithsonite increased significantly from 19.64 % to 81.81 % after activation with 5 mg/L αNβN. In the DDA collector system, αNβN underwent chemical adsorption onto the smithsonite surface, which enhanced the hydrophobicity and zeta potential of the activated smithsonite. Density functional theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation results confirmed that αNβN chemically adsorbed onto Zn sites on smithsonite via its nitroso group (R-N=O), reducing the water molecules concentration on the hydration film of smithsonite, and significantly enhancing the adsorption efficiency of DDA. This study demonstrated the superior performance of the novel activator in smithsonite flotation, providing a theoretical foundation for effectively replacing traditional sodium sulfide. This innovation not only improves flotation efficiency but also significantly reduces the negative impact on the environment.
研究领域:
矿物浮选
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化学工程
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环境科学
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DOI
高影响因子
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
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2024
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IF 5.3
Hong Zheng,Yan Miao,Changbin Li,Guangke Ye,Weiming Wu,Binbin Li,Guofan Zhang
The studies for microfine mineral flotation have focused on the two main directions of increasing the apparent mineral particle size and reducing the bubble size, while little research has been reported on the special surface properties and adsorption mechanisms of mineral particles of different sizes. In this study, sodium oleate was chosen as a typical surfactant. The mechanism of the effect of smithsonite particle size on the heterogeneity and adsorption behavior of the mineral surface was explored in depth. Through microflotation experiments, BET area tests, Washburn contact angle tests, particle agglomeration tests, adsorption tests and inorganic carbon analysis, it was pointed out that the smaller the size of the particles, the greater the surface wettability, and the smaller the density and thickness of adsorbed oleate on the surface. The difficulty of encapsulating the mineral surface with a hydrophobic layer of oleate hydrocarbon chains, as well as suboptimal particle aggregation sizes, are key reasons for the poor flotation behavior of fine smithsonite. Furthermore, the inhomogeneity of active sites and charge distribution of surface components of smithsonite with different sizes was revealed from a microscopic point of view by DRIFT spectroscopic analysis, XPS analysis and zeta potential measurements. As the particle size of smithsonite decreases, the positive charge density on the surface is higher and the hydration tendency is more intense, hindering the adsorption of oleate. This work is expected to guide the full particle size recovery of minerals in the flotation from a novel microscopic point of view.
研究领域:
矿物学
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浮选化学
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产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
MINERALS ENGINEERING
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2026
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IF 6
Hongqin Chen,Yanhai Shao,Xiao Meng,Jinhui Li,Xinru Jia,Hong Lin,Chengxiang Li
An efficient flotation separation strategy for smithsonite and calcite was established using a ternary collector (ABN) and sodium phytate (SP) at weakly alkaline pH. • Optimized SP-ABN system yields a mixed-ore Zn grade of 36.39% with 62.75% recovery. • XPS, AFM and Zeta potential analyses confirm that SP selectively shields calcite via strong Ca-chelation. • SP forms a dense layer on calcite, effectively blocking the adsorption of the ABN collector via steric hindrance and electrostatic repulsion. This study systematically investigated the selective depression behavior of sodium phytate (SP) in the flotation separation of smithsonite from calcite using an Al-BHA-NaOL collector system (ABN). Although ABN (2.5 × 10 -5 mol/L) exhibited moderate selectivity toward smithsonite under weakly alkaline conditions, calcite remained relatively floatable, resulting in limited separation efficiency. The addition of SP effectively depressed calcite flotation while only slightly influencing smithsonite, thereby significantly improving the separation performance. Under the optimal conditions of pH 8.0 and SP dosage of 21.65 × 10 -6 mol/L, artificial mixed mineral flotation tests produced a concentrate with a Zn grade of 36.39% and Zn recovery of 62.75%. To elucidate the selective depression mechanism, zeta potential measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and contact angle analysis were performed. The results demonstrated preferentially interacted with calcite rather than with smithsonite, resulting in greater changes in surface charge, surface morphology, and hydrophobicity. XPS analysis revealed a significant shift in the Ca 2p 3/2 peak on calcite after SP treatment, whereas the Zn 2p 3/2 peak of smithsonite exhibited only a negligible change, indicating a much stronger interaction between SP and calcite. SP significantly hindered ABN adsorption on calcite, while its influence on collector adsorption on smithsonite remained limited. These findings indicate that SP as an environmentally friendly selective depressant for calcite provides new insights into the selective regulation of carbonate mineral surfaces, offering a promising strategy for the flotation beneficiation of carbonate-associated zinc oxide ores. Download: Download high-res image (236KB) Download: Download full-size image
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DOI
高影响因子
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES A-PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING ASPECTS
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2025
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IF 5.4
Xiaoqi Ban,Jin Yao,Wanzhong Yin,Weifan Du,Taozhong Zhang,Wenju Sun,Yulian Wang
The depletion of high-grade sphalerite has directed attention to smithsonite as a strategic substitute for sustaining zinc supply. However, its close association with quartz complicates selective separation, while conventional direct flotation requires moderately to strongly alkaline pulps, causing equipment corrosion, excessive reagent consumption, and unstable concentrate quality that hinder large-scale use. To address this issue, 1-dodecyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide (DMB) was employed as a new collector, providing an alternative chemical environment and enabling, for the first time, an efficient reverse-flotation route for separating smithsonite from quartz. Micro-flotation tests showed that at pH = 7.0 with only 30 mg/L DMB, the concentrate reached 47.05 % Zn with 92.78 % Zn recovery and 95.03 % desilication efficiency, demonstrating both high selectivity and low reagent consumption. Electrokinetic, spectroscopic, and microscopic analyses revealed that DMB adsorption on quartz is governed by electrostatic attraction and hydrogen bonding, increasing surface potential, hydrophobicity, and roughness, whereas electrostatic repulsion limited adsorption on smithsonite, preserving its hydrophilicity. This study establishes a simplified flotation route independent of strong alkalinity, showing high adaptability to high-silica, low-grade smithsonite ores and offering valuable theoretical insight and a broader framework for advancing efficient recovery and utilization of oxidized zinc resources.
研究领域:
矿物加工
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浮选化学
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表面科学
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湿法冶金
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资源可持续回收
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产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
Minerals
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2023
·Vol. 13
·期 10
·1322
·
IF 2.5
Xiaoliang Zhang,Yangge Zhu,Zhiqiang Zhao,Peilong Wang
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.Keywords:smithsonite;dolomite;reverse flotation;highly alkaline conditions;saponified 2-DMPT
研究领域:
矿物加工工程
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表面化学
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DOI
高影响因子
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
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2025
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IF 6.9
Xiaoqi Ban,Jin Yao,Wanzhong Yin,Taozhong Zhang,Weifan Du,Wenju Sun,Chao Yin,Yulian Wang
This study proposes a novel reverse flotation strategy to overcome the limitations of conventional direct flotation of smithsonite from quartz, such as the need for strong alkalinity, high reagent dosages, and poor selectivity. Using cetylpyridinium bromide (CPB) as a collector under neutral pH conditions, selective separation was achieved with high efficiency. Microflotation tests demonstrated that at pH 7.0 and a CPB dosage of 10.0 mg/L, smithsonite recovery reached 94.20 %, and the quartz removal rate was 98.28 %. The separation index (SI) and separation efficiency (SE) were 30.46 and 93.19, respectively, significantly surpassing conventional direct flotation performance. Multiscale surface characterization techniques, including zeta potential measurements, contact angle analysis, FTIR, XPS, SEM-EDS, AFM, and ToF-SIMS, were employed to examine the interfacial interactions between CPB and the mineral surfaces. The results revealed that CPB selectively adsorbs onto quartz surfaces via electrostatic attraction between its cationic headgroups and deprotonated silanol groups ( Si–O − ), as well as hydrogen bonding with neutral silanol groups ( Si–OH). This approach simplifies flotation operation, reduces reagent consumption and processing costs, and enhances the resource efficiency of smithsonite, offering promising prospects for industrial application and theoretical development.
研究领域:
矿物加工
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浮选技术
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表面化学
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材料科学
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矿业工程
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产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
危险品化学品经营许可证（带存储）