Effect of surface oxidation on the depression of sphalerite by locust bean gum

To study the role of surface oxides in the adsorption of polysaccharide depressant on sulfides, the depression behavior of locust bean gum on sphalerite flotation in the presence of H2O2 was studied. The flotation results indicated that locust bean gum has depression effect on sphalerite but the reagent dosage needed is large. The addition of H2O2 can strength the depression effect of locust bean gum as H2O2 can increase the adsorption amount of locust bean gum on sphalerite greatly. The XPS analysis results illustrated that the locust bean gum adsorbed on sphalerite surface through chemical interaction with the oxides that formed on sphalerite surface. More oxides formed on sphalerite surface after the addition of H2O2 and this is the main reason why oxidizer can increase the depression effect of locust bean gum.