Comparative Analysis of Lead Ions and Ammonium Salts in Malachite Sulfurization-Assisted Flotation Based on Surface Layer Durability

Sulfurization-assisted flotation is a key process that uses sulfur compounds to modify mineral surfaces, enhancing hydrophobicity and flotation efficiency, especially for copper oxide minerals. This study introduced the preliminary activation of malachite utilizing a combination of Pb<sup>2+&l...

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Main Authors: Ayman M. Ibrahim, Han Wang, Peilun Shen, Dianwen Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Metals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/15/6/601
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author Ayman M. Ibrahim
Han Wang
Peilun Shen
Dianwen Liu
author_facet Ayman M. Ibrahim
Han Wang
Peilun Shen
Dianwen Liu
author_sort Ayman M. Ibrahim
collection DOAJ
description Sulfurization-assisted flotation is a key process that uses sulfur compounds to modify mineral surfaces, enhancing hydrophobicity and flotation efficiency, especially for copper oxide minerals. This study introduced the preliminary activation of malachite utilizing a combination of Pb<sup>2+</sup> and NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup> ions in sulfurization systems, significantly improving flotation recovery. Flotation tests and surface analysis techniques were employed to examine the effects of Pb<sup>2+</sup> and NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup> ions on malachite’s flotation behavior and the stability of its sulfurized surface layer. The results showed that, after activation with Pb<sup>2+</sup> and NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup> at optimal reagent concentrations, malachite’s flotation recovery reached 94.6%, compared to 68.13% with traditional sulfurization. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed significant changes in malachite’s surface morphology, with a dense, cloud-like sulfide film forming that contained more sulfur than in direct sulfurization, enhancing the durability of the sulfurized surface. Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) analysis confirmed increased sulfide ion adsorption on the surface compared to traditional sulfurization. The Pb<sup>2+</sup> + (NH<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>S + Na<sub>2</sub>S system generated numerous active sites from copper-sulfide species, promoting the growth of sulfurized phases. FT-IR analysis showed stable Cu-S species on the malachite surface, improving SBX adsorption and flotation performance. Contact angle measurements indicated that the activation systems significantly improved surface hydrophobicity, with the copper-sulfide film achieving a contact angle of 95.29°, demonstrating superior durability and mineral recovery compared to traditional sulfurization. Thus, the activation of Pb<sup>2+</sup> and NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup> ions offers a promising solution for sulfurization-assisted flotation, enabling more efficient and sustainable recovery of malachite ore, with improved sulfide layer durability and enhanced hydrophobicity.
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spelling doaj-art-15a30159a26640bdad7cb7dfcd6f5f842025-08-20T02:21:07ZengMDPI AGMetals2075-47012025-05-0115660110.3390/met15060601Comparative Analysis of Lead Ions and Ammonium Salts in Malachite Sulfurization-Assisted Flotation Based on Surface Layer DurabilityAyman M. Ibrahim0Han Wang1Peilun Shen2Dianwen Liu3State Key Laboratory of Complex Nonferrous Metal Resources Clean Utilization, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Complex Nonferrous Metal Resources Clean Utilization, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Complex Nonferrous Metal Resources Clean Utilization, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Complex Nonferrous Metal Resources Clean Utilization, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093, ChinaSulfurization-assisted flotation is a key process that uses sulfur compounds to modify mineral surfaces, enhancing hydrophobicity and flotation efficiency, especially for copper oxide minerals. This study introduced the preliminary activation of malachite utilizing a combination of Pb<sup>2+</sup> and NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup> ions in sulfurization systems, significantly improving flotation recovery. Flotation tests and surface analysis techniques were employed to examine the effects of Pb<sup>2+</sup> and NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup> ions on malachite’s flotation behavior and the stability of its sulfurized surface layer. The results showed that, after activation with Pb<sup>2+</sup> and NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup> at optimal reagent concentrations, malachite’s flotation recovery reached 94.6%, compared to 68.13% with traditional sulfurization. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed significant changes in malachite’s surface morphology, with a dense, cloud-like sulfide film forming that contained more sulfur than in direct sulfurization, enhancing the durability of the sulfurized surface. Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) analysis confirmed increased sulfide ion adsorption on the surface compared to traditional sulfurization. The Pb<sup>2+</sup> + (NH<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>S + Na<sub>2</sub>S system generated numerous active sites from copper-sulfide species, promoting the growth of sulfurized phases. FT-IR analysis showed stable Cu-S species on the malachite surface, improving SBX adsorption and flotation performance. Contact angle measurements indicated that the activation systems significantly improved surface hydrophobicity, with the copper-sulfide film achieving a contact angle of 95.29°, demonstrating superior durability and mineral recovery compared to traditional sulfurization. Thus, the activation of Pb<sup>2+</sup> and NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup> ions offers a promising solution for sulfurization-assisted flotation, enabling more efficient and sustainable recovery of malachite ore, with improved sulfide layer durability and enhanced hydrophobicity.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/15/6/601malachite flotationactivation systemsurface layer durabilitylead ionsammonium salts
spellingShingle Ayman M. Ibrahim
Han Wang
Peilun Shen
Dianwen Liu
Comparative Analysis of Lead Ions and Ammonium Salts in Malachite Sulfurization-Assisted Flotation Based on Surface Layer Durability
Metals
malachite flotation
activation system
surface layer durability
lead ions
ammonium salts
title Comparative Analysis of Lead Ions and Ammonium Salts in Malachite Sulfurization-Assisted Flotation Based on Surface Layer Durability
title_full Comparative Analysis of Lead Ions and Ammonium Salts in Malachite Sulfurization-Assisted Flotation Based on Surface Layer Durability
title_fullStr Comparative Analysis of Lead Ions and Ammonium Salts in Malachite Sulfurization-Assisted Flotation Based on Surface Layer Durability
title_full_unstemmed Comparative Analysis of Lead Ions and Ammonium Salts in Malachite Sulfurization-Assisted Flotation Based on Surface Layer Durability
title_short Comparative Analysis of Lead Ions and Ammonium Salts in Malachite Sulfurization-Assisted Flotation Based on Surface Layer Durability
title_sort comparative analysis of lead ions and ammonium salts in malachite sulfurization assisted flotation based on surface layer durability
topic malachite flotation
activation system
surface layer durability
lead ions
ammonium salts
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/15/6/601
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AT peilunshen comparativeanalysisofleadionsandammoniumsaltsinmalachitesulfurizationassistedflotationbasedonsurfacelayerdurability
AT dianwenliu comparativeanalysisofleadionsandammoniumsaltsinmalachitesulfurizationassistedflotationbasedonsurfacelayerdurability