The collecting performance and interaction mechanism of sodium diisobutyl dithiophosphinate in sulfide minerals flotation

The interaction mechanism of sodium diisobutyl dithiophosphinate (DTPINa) with chalcopyrite, pyrite, galena and sphalerite was investigated by single mineral flotation experiment, adsorption measurement and FTIR spectrum analysis. Single mineral flotation experiments showed that sodium diisobutyl dithiophosphinate exhibited a strong ability to collect chalcopyrite and galena. For chalcopyrite and pyrite, the recovery of chalcopyrite can reach 96.2% when the dosage is 12 mg/L and pH value is 8. In the same situation, the recovery of pyrite is as low as 13.5%. For galena and sphalerite, the recovery of galena reached 91.7% when the dosage was 50 mg/L at pH 11, and the recovery of sphalerite was only 16.9%. DTPINa adsorbed on chalcopyrite and galena surfaces are more than that on pyrite and sphalerite surfaces. The adsorption capacity of DTPINa on the minerals surface is proportional to its dosage. The FTIR spectrum analysis results showed that the adsorption of DTPINa on sulfide minerals surface is chemical and S atoms in -P=S and -P-S may have taken part in the reaction. The natural ores experiments also confirmed the excellent performance of sodium diisobutyl dithiophosphinate. (C) 2014 Brazilian Metallurgical, Materials and Mining Association. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.