Interaction of sphalerite with potassium n-butyl xanthate and copper sulfate solutions studied by XPS of fast-frozen samples and zeta-potential measurement

We acquired low-temperature X-ray photoelectron spectra of fast-frozen wet pastes prepared by centrifugation of the natural sphalerite slurries containing potassium n-butyl xanthate (KBX), without washing or any additional treatment, before and after the mineral activation in 0.1 mM CuSO4 solution. Zeta potentials of the slurry particles were also measured. The method allowed characterizing the mineral surfaces and adsorbates, volatile substances and hydrated species within the interfacial layers under more realistic flotation-related conditions. The uptake of xanthate by unactivated mineral was low even in 10 mM KBX, while the surface became metal-deficient (enriched in sulfur), more hydrophobic and contaminated with carbonaceous matter. Dibutyl dixanthogen was the major interfacial product of the interaction of Cu-activated sphalerite having the surface atomic Zn/Cu ratio of 3 and excess of sulfur with the KBX solutions. The spectra revealed only minor quantities of Zn and Cu xanthates and oxyhydroxides at all the samples; some hydrated K+ counter-ions were detected at the negatively charged surfaces after the xanthate treatment. The dixanthogen was concluded to form via oxidation of xanthate at the interface, probably catalyzed by surface cuprous species but not direct interaction with cupric ions.