Characterization of zinc sulfide species on smithsonite surfaces during sulfidation processing: Effect of ammonia liquor

The interaction between sulfide-ion species and smithsonite surfaces in the absence with and without ammonia liquor was investigated. The results of zeta potential and sulfide ion adsorption indicated that NH3 center dot H2O addition promoted the transfer of sulfur in the pulp solutions onto the smithsonite surfaces. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy analysis indicated that the zinc sulfide species was composed of zinc monosulfide and zinc polysulfide and was reinforced by NH3 center dot H2O addition. The distribution ratio of polysulfide in the whole S species increased. The results shed light on reinforcement of the smithsonite sulfidation mechanism with ammonia liquor addition. (C) 2017 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.