Surface chemistry modifications in grinding and flotation of spodumene

作者：Philipa A. Opoku, Boris Albijanic, Aleksandar N. Nikoloski, Bogale Tadesse · 发表于：Minerals Engineering · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1016/j.mineng.2025.109676 · 被引用次数：6 · 研究领域：Minerals Flotation and Separation Techniques、Metal Extraction and Bioleaching、Mineral Processing and Grinding

This study investigated the effects of different grinding environments on the flotation behaviour of spodumene from lithium pegmatite ore through bench-scale froth flotation tests using sodium oleate (NaOL) collector. The mechanisms governing these interactions were characterized by particle zeta potential measurements, scanning electron microscopy in tandem with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). Flotation performance was investigated for spodumene wet ground with cast iron and zirconia media under alkaline, acidic and neutral conditions. SEM-EDS analyses revealed marked differences in particle shape between acid and alkali treated samples. Sodium hydroxide treatment induced mild etching and selective surface dissolution, exposing fresh regions, whiles hydrochloric acid treatment caused extensive morphological alterations, including scuffing marks, holes and fine residuals. XPS analysis showed significant difference in surface composition of iron, aluminium, silicon, carbon and oxygen under different treatment conditions. Iron deposition on mineral surface ground with cast iron balls was attributed to the corrosion of media onto the pulp during grinding. At a head grade of 0.67% lithium oxide (Li 2 O), the highest flotation performance with zirconia grinding assayed as 2.15% Li 2 O grade and 46% recovery with alkali pretreatment. By contrast, cast iron grinding achieved a higher recovery of 95%, albeit at a lower concentrate ...