An Investigation of the Adsorption of Xanthate on Bornite in Aqueous Solutions Using an Atomic Force Microscope

An atomic force microscope (AFM) was applied to study of the adsorption xanthate on bornite surfaces in situ aqueous solutions. AFM images showed that xanthate, i.e., potassium ethyl (KEX) and amyl (PAX), adsorbed strongly bornite, adsorbate bound with mineral surface without being removed by flushing ethanol alcohol. The also increased collector concentration contact time. Xanthate a similar manner when solution pH changed 10. measurement results probe–substrate adhesion due bornite. sharp “jump-in” “jump-off” points curve suggest is not “soft” nature, ruling out existence dixanthogen, an oily substance. Finally, ATR-FTIR (attenuated total reflection-Fourier-transform infrared) result confirms solutions mainly form insoluble cuprous (CuX) instead dixanthogen. This xanthate/bornite mechanism very what obtained xanthate/chalcocite system, while it different from xanthate/chalcopyrite for which dixanthogen main product chalcopyrite surface. present helps clarify flotation industry practice using as collector.