Synergistic effect of dodecyl sulfonate on apatite flotation with fatty acid collector

The synergistic effects between sodium dodecyl sulfonate (SDS) and a mixed fatty acids collector for apatite flotation were investigated. SDS benefitted the apatite flotation at pH 9.5. The TOC measurements showed that the addition of SDS improved the surfactants adsorption at the apatite surface. The colloidal size measurements suggested that the utilizing of SDS prevented the over-packing of fatty acids in the solution. Additionally, SDS did not adsorb/co-adsorb at the apatite surface as revealed by the FTIR and XPS results, because of the strong electrostatic repulsion between the apatite surface and the SDS ions.