Selective Flocculation of Xanthan Gum Separates Fine-grained Malachite and Quartz.

Improving the recovery of fine copper oxides is an important problem to be solved in the efficient utilization of copper ore resources. It is of great significance to study the selective flocculation separation of fine malachite and quartz for efficient recovery of copper ore resources. Using xanthan gum as flocculant, the selective flocculation and settlement behavior of malachite and quartz were studied. The results show that when pH value is 4, xanthan gum concentration is 10 mg/L, Cu²⁺ concentration is 20 mg/L, the recovery of single mineral malachite is 91.81%, the difference of settlement rate between the two minerals is 64.73 percentage points, the settlement rate of the minerals mixture is 66.61%, the recovery malachite is 72.44% and the Cu grade is 30.18%. The results of microscope observation show that the adsorption capacity of xanthan gum for malachite is stronger than that of quartz. Xanthan gum can selectively flocculate fine malachite particles and agglomerate them into large size of particle floes, which is conducive to settlement. The determination of adsorption capacity and Zeta potential analysis showed that xanthan gum had electrostatic interaction with malachite and physical adsorption with quartz, and Cu²⁺ would have electrostatic interaction with xanthan gum covered on the surface of quartz, but had little effect with quartz; The results of FTIR test show that xanthan gum can be adsorbed on malachite surface for chemical reaction. When Cu²⁺ and xanthan gum are added, there is hydrogen bond between xanthan gum and malachite, and xanthan gum can also form stable complex of Cu²⁺. The interaction between xanthan gum and quartz is mainly physical adsorption. XPS test results showed that xanthan gum adsorbed Cu²⁺ on malachite surface, bonded to Cu site on malachite surface, and obtained electrons from malachite -OH and C = O groups. The adsorption between xanthan gum and quartz is weak. Xanthan gum can effectively separate malachite from quartz, improve the grade of malachite product. This study provides theoretical guidance for the recovery and utilization of fine malachite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]