Fluorite particles as a novel barite depressant in terms of surface transformation

The flotation separation of scheelite and barite is difficult because they have the same active sites. The surface transformation of semi-soluble minerals is inevitable in the flotation of salt minerals, but an effective flotation separation can be achieved through the dissolution and surface transformation of fluorite. In the current flotation test, fluorite particles and sodium fluoride are efficient depressants for barite but not for scheelite. These results suggest that fluorite ions released from fluorite are crucial to the separation of barite and scheelite. Zeta potential measurement indicates that fluorite ions can obviously shift the surface charge of barite, but it cannot influence that of scheelite. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirms that fluoride ions are strongly chemisorbed on the barite surface and generate BaF2. Atomic force microscopy measurement directly illustrates the change in the barite surface morphology and the formed BaF2 film. Thus, surface transformation is clearly important for flotation and provides a new strategy for the separation of salt minerals.

Automated summary

The flotation separation of scheelite and barite is challenging due to their similar chemical properties, but an effective separation can be achieved through the dissolution and surface transformation of fluorite. Fluorite ions play a crucial role in the separation process, affecting the surface charge of barite significantly. Surface transformation is essential for successful flotation and offers a new strategy for separating salt minerals.