Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This review aims to advance quartz processing technology by examining the surface properties, flotation behavior, and selective flotation mechanisms of quartz mineral. Characterized by a strong negative charge over a wide pH range and an isoelectric point around pH 2, quartz surfaces allow physical adsorption of cationic collectors, particularly amines, which render the quartz surface hydrophobic and enhance bubble–particle interactions. In contrast, flotation with anionic collectors requires prior surface activation via multivalent metal cations such as Ca2+. The pH value of the medium plays a critical role in both collector adsorption and flotation selectivity. Both direct and reverse flotation strategies can be used, depending on whether quartz is targeted as a valuable mineral or a gangue mineral. In direct flotation, depressants like carboxymethyl cellulose and starch are used to depress gangue minerals, while in reverse flotation, quartz is depressed using chemicals such as fluoride ions and cationic polymers. To improve the efficiency and selectivity of quartz flotation, further research is needed on surface chemistry, collector adsorption mechanisms, and the transition from laboratory-scale experiments to industrial applications.
Source: Minerals
DOI: 10.3390/min15080846
Language: English
Subfield: Water Science and Technology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,896
Award: G4063485179
OpenAlex ID: W4413119353