Effect of Magnesium on the Hydrophobicity of Sphalerite
The use of untreated recycled water has negative effects in the flotation of zinc sulfide ores due to the presence of dissolved species, such as magnesium and calcium. Although it has been found that magnesium is a more potent depressant than calcium, it has not been investigated in this role or for...
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MDPI AG
2021-12-01
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| Series: | Minerals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/11/12/1359 |
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| author | Gloria I. Dávila-Pulido Adrián A. González-Ibarra Mitzué Garza-García Danay A. Charles |
| author_facet | Gloria I. Dávila-Pulido Adrián A. González-Ibarra Mitzué Garza-García Danay A. Charles |
| author_sort | Gloria I. Dávila-Pulido |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The use of untreated recycled water has negative effects in the flotation of zinc sulfide ores due to the presence of dissolved species, such as magnesium and calcium. Although it has been found that magnesium is a more potent depressant than calcium, it has not been investigated in this role or for the effect of adding sodium carbonate. The results of an investigation to evaluate the effect of magnesium on the hydrophobicity of Cu-activated sphalerite conditioned with Sodium Isopropyl Xanthate (SIPX) are presented. Zeta potential of natural and Cu-activated sphalerite as a function of the conditioning pH and Cu(II) concentration, respectively, was first evaluated. Later, the effect of pH and presence of magnesium on the contact angle of Cu-activated sphalerite conditioned with SIPX was studied; it was also evaluated the effect of sodium carbonate to counteract the effect of magnesium. Cu-activation enhances the zeta potential of sphalerite up to a concentration of 5 mg/L. Contact angle tests, thermodynamic simulation, and surface analysis showed that magnesium hydroxide precipitates on the sphalerite surface at pH 9.6, decreasing its hydrophobicity. Addition of sodium carbonate as alkalinizing agent precipitates the magnesium in the form of a species that remained dispersed in the bulk solution, favoring the contact angle of Cu-activated sphalerite and, consequently, its hydrophobicity. It is concluded that the use of sodium carbonate as alkalinizing agent favors the precipitation of magnesium as hydromagnesite (Mg<sub>5</sub>(OH)<sub>2</sub>(CO<sub>3</sub>)<sub>4</sub>∙4H<sub>2</sub>O) instead of hydroxide allowing the recovery of sphalerite. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:30:18Z |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-163X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:30:18Z |
| publishDate | 2021-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Minerals |
| spelling | doaj.art-7a8a605d27e4401d904142785cadf7e92023-11-23T09:41:44ZengMDPI AGMinerals2075-163X2021-12-011112135910.3390/min11121359Effect of Magnesium on the Hydrophobicity of SphaleriteGloria I. Dávila-Pulido0Adrián A. González-Ibarra1Mitzué Garza-García2Danay A. Charles3Escuela Superior de Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, Blvd. Adolfo López Mateos s/n, Nueva Rosita C.P. 26800, Coahuila, MexicoEscuela Superior de Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, Blvd. Adolfo López Mateos s/n, Nueva Rosita C.P. 26800, Coahuila, MexicoEscuela Superior de Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, Blvd. Adolfo López Mateos s/n, Nueva Rosita C.P. 26800, Coahuila, MexicoEscuela Superior de Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, Blvd. Adolfo López Mateos s/n, Nueva Rosita C.P. 26800, Coahuila, MexicoThe use of untreated recycled water has negative effects in the flotation of zinc sulfide ores due to the presence of dissolved species, such as magnesium and calcium. Although it has been found that magnesium is a more potent depressant than calcium, it has not been investigated in this role or for the effect of adding sodium carbonate. The results of an investigation to evaluate the effect of magnesium on the hydrophobicity of Cu-activated sphalerite conditioned with Sodium Isopropyl Xanthate (SIPX) are presented. Zeta potential of natural and Cu-activated sphalerite as a function of the conditioning pH and Cu(II) concentration, respectively, was first evaluated. Later, the effect of pH and presence of magnesium on the contact angle of Cu-activated sphalerite conditioned with SIPX was studied; it was also evaluated the effect of sodium carbonate to counteract the effect of magnesium. Cu-activation enhances the zeta potential of sphalerite up to a concentration of 5 mg/L. Contact angle tests, thermodynamic simulation, and surface analysis showed that magnesium hydroxide precipitates on the sphalerite surface at pH 9.6, decreasing its hydrophobicity. Addition of sodium carbonate as alkalinizing agent precipitates the magnesium in the form of a species that remained dispersed in the bulk solution, favoring the contact angle of Cu-activated sphalerite and, consequently, its hydrophobicity. It is concluded that the use of sodium carbonate as alkalinizing agent favors the precipitation of magnesium as hydromagnesite (Mg<sub>5</sub>(OH)<sub>2</sub>(CO<sub>3</sub>)<sub>4</sub>∙4H<sub>2</sub>O) instead of hydroxide allowing the recovery of sphalerite.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/11/12/1359sphaleritehydrophobicitywater chemistrycontact anglemagnesium |
| spellingShingle | Gloria I. Dávila-Pulido Adrián A. González-Ibarra Mitzué Garza-García Danay A. Charles Effect of Magnesium on the Hydrophobicity of Sphalerite Minerals sphalerite hydrophobicity water chemistry contact angle magnesium |
| title | Effect of Magnesium on the Hydrophobicity of Sphalerite |
| title_full | Effect of Magnesium on the Hydrophobicity of Sphalerite |
| title_fullStr | Effect of Magnesium on the Hydrophobicity of Sphalerite |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effect of Magnesium on the Hydrophobicity of Sphalerite |
| title_short | Effect of Magnesium on the Hydrophobicity of Sphalerite |
| title_sort | effect of magnesium on the hydrophobicity of sphalerite |
| topic | sphalerite hydrophobicity water chemistry contact angle magnesium |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/11/12/1359 |
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