A novel vitamin E-based xanthate collector for chalcopyrite-quartz mineral flotation

Abstract

In this study, a novel vitamin E-based xanthate, α-tocopherol polyethylene glycol 400 succinate xanthate (TPGS-X) was compared with potassium amyl xanthate (PAX) for the flotation of synthetic and natural chalcopyrite-quartz ores at medium (P80 < 140 µm) and coarse (P80 > 170 µm) sizes. TPGS-X was expected to improve chalcopyrite hydrophobicity and recovery due to the bulkier hydrophobic α-tocopheryl group. The water contact angle on chalcopyrite increased from 68° to 99° with 0.03 mM TPGS-X, compared to a maximum of 92° with 0.5 mM PAX. Increasing xanthate concentrations led to hydrophobicity reversal on the chalcopyrite surface, with contact angles decreasing below the pristine mineral val..