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Flotation separation of feldspar from quartz using sodium fluosilicate as a selective depressant

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Abstract

The physical and chemical properties of feldspar and quartz are highly similar, thus they cannot be easily separated effectively. In this work, the flotation separation of feldspar from quartz using sodium fluosilicate (Na2SiF6; SF) as a selective depressant was investigated. Moreover, the influence mechanism of SF on the selective flotation separation of feldspar and quartz was investigated via flotation tests, chemical analysis of flotation solution, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and contact angle analysis. The results of the flotation tests show that feldspar and quartz without SF treatment have good floatability. After SF treatment, feldspar still has good floatability, whereas quartz has significantly reduced floatability. Flotation solution chemical analysis shows that the functional group plays an important role in depressing the quartz is [SiF6]2−. FTIR, XPS and contact angle analysis results show that [SiF6]2− is adsorbed only on the surface of quartz. Thus, a thin hydrophilic SiOF layer is generated on the surface, which interferes with the adsorption of the collector on the surface of the quartz. This phenomenon leads to a significant reduction in quartz’s floatability. Therefore, SF has a good ability to separate feldspar from quartz by flotation.

Graphical abstract

摘要

长石和石英的物理和化学性质非常相似。因此, 它们很难实现有效的浮选分离。本文研究了以氟硅酸钠 (Na2SiF6; SF) 为选择性抑制剂对长石和石英进行浮选分离。此外, 通过浮选试验、浮选液化学分析、傅立叶变换红外光谱 (FTIR) 、X射线光电子能谱 (XPS) 和接触角分析, 研究了SF对长石和石英选择性浮选分离的影响机理。浮选试验结果表明, 未经SF处理的长石和石英具有良好的可浮性。经过SF处理后, 长石仍具有良好的可浮性, 而石英则显著降低了可浮性。浮选溶液化学分析表明, 在抑制石英中起重要作用的官能团是[SiF6]2− 。FTIR、XPS和接触角分析结果表明, [SiF6]2−仅吸附在石英表面。因此, 在表面上产生薄的亲水性SiOF层, 这干扰了收集器在石英表面上的吸附。这种现象导致石英的可浮性显著降低。因此, SF具有良好的浮选分离长石和石英的能力。

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Acknowledgements

This study was financially supported by the Project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 52274263) and the Key R&D Plan Projects in Jiangxi Province (No. 20214BBG74001).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Resource and Environmental Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou, 341000, China

    Xin Hu, Xian-Ping Luo, Zi-Shuai Liu, Yong-Bing Zhang, He-Peng Zhou, Zhi-Zhao Yang & Xue-Kun Tang

  2. Yichun Lithium New Energy Industry Research Institute, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Yichun, 336000, China

    Xin Hu, Xian-Ping Luo, Zi-Shuai Liu, Yong-Bing Zhang, He-Peng Zhou, Zhi-Zhao Yang & Xue-Kun Tang

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  1. Xin Hu
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Hu, X., Luo, XP., Liu, ZS. et al. Flotation separation of feldspar from quartz using sodium fluosilicate as a selective depressant. Rare Met. 43, 1288–1300 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12598-024-02629-5

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