EXAFS Study of a Model Flotation System - Xanthate/Zinc Sulphate: Structural Determination of Interaction Forms Existing in Aqueous Solution and Deposition

This work presents first results of an EXAFS study of a model flotation system - the xanthate/zinc sulphate in aqueous solution, initial solutions of zinc sulphate and reference bulk samples. All EXAFS spectra (Zn-K edge) of the samples studied (both in solution and deposition) were recorded at EXAFS station of Siberian Synchrotron Terahertz Radiation Center (SSTRC, Novosibirsk) based on VEPP-3 storage ring. Some differences of local structure of initial solution of zinc sulfate (∼10-2 mol/l) compared to the bulk reference sample were found. The presence of different Zn-O forms were proposed. For the model flotation system - xanthate/zinc sulphate in aqueous solution, the Zn-S forms were predominantly found. The structural determination of interaction forms existing in aqueous solution and deposition were carried out in comparison with the initial bulk and reference samples. All possible structural models were discussed. A preliminary structural analysis has done. Perspectives of the used approach are shown.