Copper nitrate for galena activation: A surface chemistry study of xanthate adsorption
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Date
2025
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Abstract
The efficient recovery of lead by selective flotation of galena (PbS) is crucial, yet often hindered by its insufficient
inherent hydrophobicity, necessitating surface activation. While copper sulfate (CuSO
4
) is a conventional activator,
the potential and mechanistic details of alternative copper salts, particularly copper nitrate (Cu(NO
),
remain largely unexplored for galena activation. This study, for the first time, systematically investigates copper
nitrate (Cu(NO
3
)
) as an activator for galena, focusing on its impact on surface chemistry and subsequent potassium
ethyl
xanthate
(KEX)
adsorption.
Copper
sulfate
(CuSO
2
) was employed as a well-established benchmark
to evaluate the relative activation power of Cu(NO
3
)
2
4
. A suite of analytical techniques, including X-ray
Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and
Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), was utilized to characterize the induced surface modifications.
Results demonstrate that Cu(NO
3
)
2
facilitates KEX adsorption, leading to the formation of copper-xanthate
complexes. This was supported by characteristic XRD peaks (e.g., at 2θ = 24.37
◦
, 18.40
◦
) and FTIR absorption
bands (e.g., at 1197 cm
1
). SEM imaging revealed moderate surface roughening, and EDS analysis
confirmed copper deposition at an atomic concentration of 0.11 %. In comparison, the benchmark CuSO
activation resulted in more extensive copper-xanthate formation, indicated by significantly more intense XRD
and FTIR signals (e.g., 2θ = 19.63
◦
, 28.35
), more pronounced morphological changes, a higher copper deposition
of
0.39
%,
and
a
corresponding
sulfur
enrichment
to
50.70
%
S.
These findings establish Cu(NO
3
)
2
◦
as a viable, albeit less potent activator than CuSO
4
under the studied
conditions (0.11 % vs. 0.39 % Cu deposition). This research provides the first detailed surface-chemical evidence
of this activation, quantifying elemental changes and highlighting the differential impact of the counterion. This
work contributes foundational knowledge for optimizing flotation schemes to improve the efficiency and sustainability
of
lead
ore
processing.