Understanding the mechanism for promoting azurite sulfurization with ammonium sulfate

In this paper, the role of ammonium sulfate ((NH4)(2)SO4) in the sulfurization flotation of azurite was investigated. The micro-flotation tests showed that (NH4)(2)SO4 improved the flotation recovery of azurite by 5.87 similar to 21.12 percentage points. FESEM, XPS and Contact angle analyses indicated that (NH4)(2)SO4 as a sulfurization regulator promoted the formation of copper sulfide products, and not involved in the formation of sulfurized products. The nucleation rate of the copper sulfide product was reduced in the initial stages of sulfurization after(NH4)(2)SO4 was added. Thus, covellite (syn, CuS) with larger crystal grains was formed on the azurite surface, as confirmed by X-ray diffraction. Ultimately, more copper sulfide products were formed on the azurite surface, enhancing the surface hydrophobicity of azurite.

Automated summary

This study investigates the role of ammonium sulfate ((NH4)(2)SO4) in the sulfurization flotation of azurite. The results show that (NH4)(2)SO4 improves the flotation recovery of azurite and promotes the formation of copper sulfide products, leading to enhanced hydrophobicity of the azurite surface.