Flotation and hydrophobicity of quartz in the presence of hexylamine

• Maximum recovery of quartz increased with hexylamine dosage.
• Hexylamine in a flotation process of quartz plays a role of a frother.
• Hexylamine “uncovers” the natural hydrophobicity of quartz.
• Quartz is hydrophobic enough to attach to the liquid/gas interface.

In this paper the influence of hexylamine, as an example of a short chain alkyl amine, on the flotation behaviour and interfacial properties of quartz was investigated. It was shown that hexylamine enhanced the flotation performance of quartz regardless of the type of flotation device. The foaming properties of hexylamine and its adsorption at the liquid/gas interface showed that hexylamine in the flotation process plays a role of a frother. It was also shown that hexylamine “uncovers” the natural hydrophobicity of quartz, which is sufficient to be attached to the liquid/gas interface.

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