Interface-coupled PbSO4 dissolution and PbS precipitation and its effect on sulfidization flotation of anglesite
Jialei Li, Guangli Li, Zhicheng Liu, Shuai Ning, Ruizeng Liu
Abstract
Anglesite sulfidization mechanism was systematically investigated using flotation tests, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Raman spectroscopy, and ultraviolet− visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV−Vis DRS). The activation effect of sodium sulfide on anglesite flotation was demonstrated by the flotation tests; however, sodium sulfide concentration must be properly controlled to avoid excessive sulfide ions causing flotation depression. The results of XPS, Raman, and UV−Vis DRS revealed that PbSO4 was replaced by PbS during anglesite treatment with a sodium sulfide aqueous solution. FESEM imaging shows the dissolution of PbSO4 and the precipitation of PbS nanoparticles during sulfidization. Thus, it can be suggested that the reaction of anglesite with a sodium sulfide aqueous solutionproceeds via an interface-coupled dissolution–precipitation mechanism: upon contact with a sodium sulfide aqueous solution, anglesite dissolution releases Pb2+ and SO42– into the fluid boundary layer, which becomes oversaturated with respect to PbS phase; then the PbS nanoparticles nucleate and grow on the surface of anglesite. The PbS nanoparticles grown on anglesite can improve the floatability of anglesite.