A comparative study between the adsorption mechanisms of sodium co-silicate and conventional depressants for the reverse anionic hematite flotation

Starch, dextrin, sodium silicate (SS), and recently co-silicate (SCS) are the most known depressants for depression of iron oxides through traditional reverse flotation. However, all these depressants’ adsorption mechanisms on surface their main associated minerals (silicate phosphates) anionic flotation did not yet been thoroughly investigated. For filling this gap, as a comparative investigation, study implemented Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), zeta potential measurement, micro-flotation tests to determine explored effects floatabilities pure hematite, quartz, fluorapatite. Micro-flotation test results illustrated that examined could depress hematite in presence an collector. Still, efficiencies SS SCS were higher than those starch dextrin. had lowest effect fluorapatite floatability compared other depressants. Surface analyses depicted dextrin decreased collector surface, where negligible its floatability. The co-existence physical chemical bonds created between dextrin/starch was reason