Selective flotation of carbonate minerals

This study explores the selective flotation of carbonate minerals-dolomite, magnesite, and calcite using amino acid-based single- and double-headed collectors. The separation efficiency was evaluated using microflotation experiments, ζ potential measurements, UV–Vis spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy,...

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Main Authors: Manas Barai, Tanmay Dutta, Anuttam Patra
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-07-01
Series:JCIS Open
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666934X25000108
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author Manas Barai
Tanmay Dutta
Anuttam Patra
author_facet Manas Barai
Tanmay Dutta
Anuttam Patra
author_sort Manas Barai
collection DOAJ
description This study explores the selective flotation of carbonate minerals-dolomite, magnesite, and calcite using amino acid-based single- and double-headed collectors. The separation efficiency was evaluated using microflotation experiments, ζ potential measurements, UV–Vis spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, and molecular modelling. The study aimed to understand how the molecular architecture of collectors influences their adsorption behaviour on mineral surfaces, leading to selective flotation.Flotation recoveries were measured at both natural and pH 10.5 conditions. The monocarboxylate collector (C12GlyNa) demonstrated high but non-selective recovery across all three minerals. In contrast, the double-headed collector, disodium N-dodecyl aminomalonate (C12MalNa2), exhibited strong selectivity, particularly for magnesite, due to optimal geometric matching between its head groups and the Mg-Mg atomic distances on the mineral surface. The amount of collector adsorbed was determined by UV–Vis analysis, while FTIR confirmed surface adsorption through characteristic alkyl stretching bands. ζ potential measurements supported these findings, showing that increased adsorption led to greater negative charge development on mineral surfaces. Molecular modelling further revealed that selective adsorption occurs when the collector's head group spacing aligns with metal-metal distances on the mineral surface, enabling effective electrostatic interactions.These results highlight the potential for designing tailored collectors based on molecular recognition principles, offering a pathway for more efficient and selective flotation of carbonate minerals.
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spelling doaj-art-d5b8b6952d314933a47be36d086993132025-08-20T02:39:40ZengElsevierJCIS Open2666-934X2025-07-011810013710.1016/j.jciso.2025.100137Selective flotation of carbonate mineralsManas Barai0Tanmay Dutta1Anuttam Patra2Chemistry of Interfaces Group, Luleå University of Technology, SE-97187, Luleå, Sweden; Department of Chemistry, School of Engineering, Dayananda Sagar University, Devarakaggalahalli, Harohalli Kanakapura Road, Dt, Ramanagara, Karnataka, 562112, IndiaChemistry of Interfaces Group, Luleå University of Technology, SE-97187, Luleå, SwedenChemistry of Interfaces Group, Luleå University of Technology, SE-97187, Luleå, Sweden; Corresponding author. Chemistry of Interfaces Group, Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, SE-97187, Luleå, Sweden.This study explores the selective flotation of carbonate minerals-dolomite, magnesite, and calcite using amino acid-based single- and double-headed collectors. The separation efficiency was evaluated using microflotation experiments, ζ potential measurements, UV–Vis spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, and molecular modelling. The study aimed to understand how the molecular architecture of collectors influences their adsorption behaviour on mineral surfaces, leading to selective flotation.Flotation recoveries were measured at both natural and pH 10.5 conditions. The monocarboxylate collector (C12GlyNa) demonstrated high but non-selective recovery across all three minerals. In contrast, the double-headed collector, disodium N-dodecyl aminomalonate (C12MalNa2), exhibited strong selectivity, particularly for magnesite, due to optimal geometric matching between its head groups and the Mg-Mg atomic distances on the mineral surface. The amount of collector adsorbed was determined by UV–Vis analysis, while FTIR confirmed surface adsorption through characteristic alkyl stretching bands. ζ potential measurements supported these findings, showing that increased adsorption led to greater negative charge development on mineral surfaces. Molecular modelling further revealed that selective adsorption occurs when the collector's head group spacing aligns with metal-metal distances on the mineral surface, enabling effective electrostatic interactions.These results highlight the potential for designing tailored collectors based on molecular recognition principles, offering a pathway for more efficient and selective flotation of carbonate minerals.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666934X25000108Double-headed collectorsCarbonate mineralsSelective flotationMineral-specific adsorptionMolecular recognition
spellingShingle Manas Barai
Tanmay Dutta
Anuttam Patra
Selective flotation of carbonate minerals
JCIS Open
Double-headed collectors
Carbonate minerals
Selective flotation
Mineral-specific adsorption
Molecular recognition
title Selective flotation of carbonate minerals
title_full Selective flotation of carbonate minerals
title_fullStr Selective flotation of carbonate minerals
title_full_unstemmed Selective flotation of carbonate minerals
title_short Selective flotation of carbonate minerals
title_sort selective flotation of carbonate minerals
topic Double-headed collectors
Carbonate minerals
Selective flotation
Mineral-specific adsorption
Molecular recognition
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666934X25000108
work_keys_str_mv AT manasbarai selectiveflotationofcarbonateminerals
AT tanmaydutta selectiveflotationofcarbonateminerals
AT anuttampatra selectiveflotationofcarbonateminerals