Experimental and Mechanistic Study on Flotation Separation of Chalcopyrite and Molybdenite Using the Novel Depressant 2-Mercapto-6-Methylpyrimidin-4-ol
Chalcopyrite and molybdenite are vital strategic metal resources. Due to their close association in ores, flotation methods are commonly used for separation. The flotation separation method primarily employs the “copper depression and molybdenum flotation” process, enhancing the wettability differen...
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2025-03-01
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| author | Xiangwen Lv Anruo Luo Xiong Tong Jianhua Chen Sheng Jian |
| author_facet | Xiangwen Lv Anruo Luo Xiong Tong Jianhua Chen Sheng Jian |
| author_sort | Xiangwen Lv |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Chalcopyrite and molybdenite are vital strategic metal resources. Due to their close association in ores, flotation methods are commonly used for separation. The flotation separation method primarily employs the “copper depression and molybdenum flotation” process, enhancing the wettability difference between chalcopyrite and molybdenite through a chalcopyrite depressant. Traditional depressants often face challenges, including low selectivity, high dosage requirements, poor stability, and significant environmental pollution, highlighting the need for new, highly selective green reagents. This study introduces the novel chalcopyrite depressant 2-mercapto-6-methylpyrimidin-4-ol (MMO) for flotation separation. The influence of MMO on chalcopyrite and molybdenite flotation recovery was examined through microflotation experiments. Additionally, the effects of MMO and ethyl xanthate on surface wettability were assessed via contact angle measurements. The adsorption microstructure and interaction mechanism of MMO on chalcopyrite were elucidated using FT-IR, TOF-SIMS, and XPS analyses and DFT simulations. Results indicate that MMO enhances chalcopyrite hydrophilicity and exhibits a strong depressing effect on its flotation, while minimally impacting molybdenite recovery. Thus, it serves as an effective depressant. During adsorption, N and S atoms in MMO donate electrons to Fe and Cu ions, leading to triple bond adsorption and a stable chelate structure. These findings are crucial for achieving a greener and more efficient flotation separation of copper and molybdenum. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1d2df2a4b564491a97c417452b96e2d2 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1420-3049 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-1d2df2a4b564491a97c417452b96e2d22025-08-20T02:42:28ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492025-03-01306139610.3390/molecules30061396Experimental and Mechanistic Study on Flotation Separation of Chalcopyrite and Molybdenite Using the Novel Depressant 2-Mercapto-6-Methylpyrimidin-4-olXiangwen Lv0Anruo Luo1Xiong Tong2Jianhua Chen3Sheng Jian4Faculty of Land and Resources Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093, ChinaSchool of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, ChinaFaculty of Land and Resources Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093, ChinaSchool of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, ChinaKunming Metallurgical Research Institute Co., Ltd., Kunming 650031, ChinaChalcopyrite and molybdenite are vital strategic metal resources. Due to their close association in ores, flotation methods are commonly used for separation. The flotation separation method primarily employs the “copper depression and molybdenum flotation” process, enhancing the wettability difference between chalcopyrite and molybdenite through a chalcopyrite depressant. Traditional depressants often face challenges, including low selectivity, high dosage requirements, poor stability, and significant environmental pollution, highlighting the need for new, highly selective green reagents. This study introduces the novel chalcopyrite depressant 2-mercapto-6-methylpyrimidin-4-ol (MMO) for flotation separation. The influence of MMO on chalcopyrite and molybdenite flotation recovery was examined through microflotation experiments. Additionally, the effects of MMO and ethyl xanthate on surface wettability were assessed via contact angle measurements. The adsorption microstructure and interaction mechanism of MMO on chalcopyrite were elucidated using FT-IR, TOF-SIMS, and XPS analyses and DFT simulations. Results indicate that MMO enhances chalcopyrite hydrophilicity and exhibits a strong depressing effect on its flotation, while minimally impacting molybdenite recovery. Thus, it serves as an effective depressant. During adsorption, N and S atoms in MMO donate electrons to Fe and Cu ions, leading to triple bond adsorption and a stable chelate structure. These findings are crucial for achieving a greener and more efficient flotation separation of copper and molybdenum.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/6/1396chalcopyritemolybdeniteflotationdepressantDFT |
| spellingShingle | Xiangwen Lv Anruo Luo Xiong Tong Jianhua Chen Sheng Jian Experimental and Mechanistic Study on Flotation Separation of Chalcopyrite and Molybdenite Using the Novel Depressant 2-Mercapto-6-Methylpyrimidin-4-ol Molecules chalcopyrite molybdenite flotation depressant DFT |
| title | Experimental and Mechanistic Study on Flotation Separation of Chalcopyrite and Molybdenite Using the Novel Depressant 2-Mercapto-6-Methylpyrimidin-4-ol |
| title_full | Experimental and Mechanistic Study on Flotation Separation of Chalcopyrite and Molybdenite Using the Novel Depressant 2-Mercapto-6-Methylpyrimidin-4-ol |
| title_fullStr | Experimental and Mechanistic Study on Flotation Separation of Chalcopyrite and Molybdenite Using the Novel Depressant 2-Mercapto-6-Methylpyrimidin-4-ol |
| title_full_unstemmed | Experimental and Mechanistic Study on Flotation Separation of Chalcopyrite and Molybdenite Using the Novel Depressant 2-Mercapto-6-Methylpyrimidin-4-ol |
| title_short | Experimental and Mechanistic Study on Flotation Separation of Chalcopyrite and Molybdenite Using the Novel Depressant 2-Mercapto-6-Methylpyrimidin-4-ol |
| title_sort | experimental and mechanistic study on flotation separation of chalcopyrite and molybdenite using the novel depressant 2 mercapto 6 methylpyrimidin 4 ol |
| topic | chalcopyrite molybdenite flotation depressant DFT |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/6/1396 |
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