Esterquat EQ-90 as a green novel collector for effective desilication in magnesite flotation: Adsorption mechanisms and selectivity
Yishen Sun, Jin Yao, Wanzhong Yin, Haoran Sun, Shuo Yang
Abstract
This study investigates the selective adsorption behavior and flotation efficacy of the eco-friendly esterquat EQ-90 on quartz and magnesite, leveraging an array of advanced analytical techniques, including micro-flotation tests, Zeta potential analysis, contact angle measurement, FTIR, SEM-EDS, XPS, and TOF-SIMS. Micro-flotation tests demonstrated that EQ-90 achieved a 93.15 % recovery for quartz, while maintaining the magnesite recovery at only 5.26 %. Zeta potential and contact angle analyses confirmed the robust adsorption of EQ-90 on quartz, rendering it hydrophobic, while magnesite exhibited negligible interaction. FTIR, SEM-EDS, and XPS analyses revealed substantial increases in C and N content and significant shifts in binding energies on quartz surfaces post EQ-90 treatment, corroborating the selective adsorption mechanism. TOF-SIMS imagery further validated these findings, showing pronounced EQ-90 concentrations on quartz. This comprehensive analysis underscores EQ-90′s efficacy in selectively adsorbing onto quartz, thereby optimizing its flotation efficiency. The study offers significant insights and a robust foundation for employing EQ-90 in the selective separation of quartz from magnesite, advancing flotation processes in mineral processing.