Effect of metal ions on the dispersion and agglomeration behavior of micro-fine wolframite

The effects of metal ion species, valence state, and pH on the dispersion and agglomeration behavior of microfine particles of wolframite were studied in this work. Adsorption capacity test, flotation kinetics, solution chemistry, zeta potential, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to evaluate the effect of metal ions on dispersion and agglomeration mechanism of micro-fine particles of wolframite. The results of turbidity and focused beam reflection measuring instrument tests showed that divalent and trivalent metal ions significantly affected the agglomeration behavior of micro-fine particles of wolframite compared with monovalent metal ions. Under specific pH conditions, divalent and trivalent metal ions destabilized and agglomerated the micro-fine particles of wolframite suspension. The results of XPS and solution chemistry showed that the Pb2+, Mn2+, Fe2+ and Al3+ adsorbed on the wolframite surface turned into hydroxide or hydroxyl complex, which improved the flotation rate of wolframite.

Automated summary

This study investigated the effects of metal ion species, valence state, and pH on the dispersion and agglomeration behavior of microfine particles of wolframite. The results showed that divalent and trivalent metal ions significantly affected the agglomeration behavior of the particles compared to monovalent metal ions. Under specific pH conditions, divalent and trivalent metal ions destabilized and agglomerated the particles.