Bubble attachment time and FTIR analysis of water structure in the flotation of sylvite, bischofite and carnallite

► Water structure is an important factor that influences the flotation of soluble salts. ► FTIR O-D bond analysis, bubble attachment time, and viscosity measurements provide evidence of the importance of water structure. ► Water structure at the sylvite surface differs from that at the bischofite/carnallite surfaces. ► KCl is a structure breaker salt, while MgCl2
- 6H2O and KMgCl3
- 6H2O are structure maker salts.