Role of surface roughness in the magnesite flotation and its mechanism

Surface roughness has a significant influence on mineral flotation. The assisting effect of surface roughness on minerals flotation is extensively investigated from its physical properties (e.g., the existing form of asperity and its size), however, the associated effect on mineral flotation based on the differences in surface chemical property caused by surface roughness has been rarely touched. With such a question in mind, in this study, we investigated the flotation recoveries of two batches of magnesite particles with varying degree of surface roughness produced by two different mills, and associated the flotation performances to their surface chemical properties (amount of adsorption sites for the collector) via a series of detections, including Scanning Electron Microscope-Energy Dispersive Spectrometry (SEM-EDS) observations, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis, adsorption capacity tests, and contact angle measurements. Finally, we concluded that rougher magnesite particles could provide more active sites (Mg2+) for a larger capacity of sodium oleate (NaOL), thereby improving the hydrophobicity and floatability. (C) 2021 Chinese Society of Particuology and Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Surface roughness plays a significant role in mineral flotation, with rougher particles providing more active sites for collector adsorption, ultimately enhancing hydrophobicity and floatability.