Abstract:
Chrysocolla is a refractory oxidized copper mineral for sulfidization flotation recovery. To improve the flotation recovery of chrysocolla after sulfidization, flotation tests were carried out to investigate the effects of the combined collectors isopentyl xanthate and sodium dodecyl sulfate on the sulfidization flotation behavior of chrysocolla. The interaction mechanisms of isopentyl xanthate, sodium dodecyl sulfate, and their combination with the chrysocolla surface were analyzed by means of contact angle measurement, zeta potential determination, and infrared spectroscopy. The results show that the combined collectors have a better effect on the sulfidization flotation of chrysocolla than either collector used alone. Compared with the conventional use of isopentyl xanthate, the combined collectors increased the flotation recovery of chrysocolla by 31.39 percentage points. The addition of the combined collectors significantly increased the contact angle of the chrysocolla surface, markedly enhanced its hydrophobicity, and increased its negative surface charge, which is conducive to better synergistic adsorption of the reagents on the chrysocolla surface, thereby improving flotation recovery. These findings can provide useful references for the effective recovery of chrysocolla.