Cryo-XPS study of xanthate adsorption on pyrite

• Published in: Surface and interface analysis Vol. 45; no. 4; pp. 805 - 810
• Main Authors: Deng, Meijiao, Karpuzov, Dimitre, Liu, Qingxia, Xu, Zhenghe
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.04.2013; Wiley; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Activation; Adsorption; adsorption of xanthate; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Copper; Cryo-XPS; Electron and ion emission by liquids and solids; impact phenomena; Exact sciences and technology; flotation; Hydrophobicity; Photoemission and photoelectron spectra; Physics; Pyrite; Solid surfaces and solid-solid interfaces; Surface chemistry; Surfaces and interfaces; thin films and whiskers (structure and nonelectronic properties); X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy; xanthate; XPS; Liquid state; pH value; Inorganic compounds; Xanthates; adsorption of xanthate; Transition element compounds; xanthate; Nitrogen; Iron sulfide; Cryo-XPS; Pyrite; Transition elements; XPS; Copper; flotation; X-ray photoelectron spectra
• ISSN: 0142-2421; 1096-9918
• DOI: 10.1002/sia.5165

The adsorption of xanthate on pyrite has been extensively studied. However, the adsorption mechanisms remain a subject of controversy. Formation of both dixanthogen and metal‐xanthate complexes has been suggested. In this study, both room temperature X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) (RT‐XPS) and liquid nitrogen temperature XPS (Cryo‐XPS) were used to study interactions between pyrite and xanthate. While dixanthogen was not detected by RT‐XPS, it was successfully identified through C1s and S 2p peaks using Cryo‐XPS. The impact of pH and copper activation on adsorption of xanthate on pyrite was also investigated. It was found that at low pH, dixanthogen is the dominant species of xanthate adsorption on pyrite. At high pH, metal‐xanthate complexes were found to be prevalent on pyrite surfaces, which are responsible for the surface hydrophobicity. Copper activation showed a significant effect on xanthate adsorption on Cu‐activated pyrite, resulting in mostly the formation of Cu‐xanthate complexes rather than dixanthogen, mainly in the form of Cu(I)‐isopropyl xanthate complex (CuIPX). Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.