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Flotation behavior and mechanism of a novel Gemini surfactant N, N'-bis(cetyldimethyl)-1,4-butane diammonium dibromide for the separation of quartz and feldspar.

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Title: Flotation behavior and mechanism of a novel Gemini surfactant N, N'-bis(cetyldimethyl)-1,4-butane diammonium dibromide for the separation of quartz and feldspar.
Authors: Fan, Xuyang1 (AUTHOR), Wu, Hanjun1 (AUTHOR), Pan, Zhiquan1 (AUTHOR), Dai, Dian2 (AUTHOR), Zhang, Han3 (AUTHOR), Zhou, Hong1,4 (AUTHOR) hzhouh@126.com
Source: Applied Surface Science. Mar2026, Vol. 721, pN.PAG-N.PAG. 1p.
Subjects: Quartz, Feldspar, Physisorption, Hydrophobic interactions, Ionic interactions, Surface active agents, Flotation, Density functional theory
Abstract: [Display omitted] • A Gemini surfactant was synthesized and used for feldspar and quartz separation. • The maximum flotation difference between quartz and feldspar reaches 87.31 %. • BCBD adsorbs more on the quartz surface. • The electrostatic-hydration synergy leads to the variation in flotation behavior. • The difference in hydration barriers is the key to selective flotation separation. In this paper, a cationic Gemini surfactant N, N'-bis(cetyldimethyl)-1,4-butane diammonium dibromide (BCBD), was synthesized and used as a novel collector for the froth flotation of feldspar and quartz. Pure mineral flotation results showed optimal conditions: pH 6 and BCBD concentration of 2.4 × 10−5 mol/L, with a maximum flotation difference of 87.31 %. For artificial-mixed-ore at pH 3, the unfloated product had 17.83 % Al 2 O 3 , 11.06 % N 2 O + K 2 O, 69.97 % SiO 2 , and 73.54 % feldspar recovery; the floated product reached 92.03 % SiO 2 , 57.99 % yield, and 89.52 % quartz recovery. The flotation effect of BCBD focuses on high-quality feldspar and high SiO 2 recovery. The Zeta potential, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and contact angle measurements indicate that BCBD selectively adsorbs more on the quartz surface, thereby enhancing the hydrophobicity of quartz. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that the –CH 2 N(CH 3) 2 (CH 2) 4 N(CH 3) 2 CH 2 – group of BCBD, with a high positive charge, enables easy adsorption on nucleophilic mineral surfaces. Further analysis based on the extended Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (E-DLVO) theory and surface energy calculation, showing that there are thermodynamic differences in the interaction between BCBD and quartz and feldspar, mainly regulated by the electrostatic-hydration synergy. Crucially, the difference in hydration barriers between quartz and feldspar is the key to selective flotation separation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Abstract:[Display omitted] • A Gemini surfactant was synthesized and used for feldspar and quartz separation. • The maximum flotation difference between quartz and feldspar reaches 87.31 %. • BCBD adsorbs more on the quartz surface. • The electrostatic-hydration synergy leads to the variation in flotation behavior. • The difference in hydration barriers is the key to selective flotation separation. In this paper, a cationic Gemini surfactant N, N'-bis(cetyldimethyl)-1,4-butane diammonium dibromide (BCBD), was synthesized and used as a novel collector for the froth flotation of feldspar and quartz. Pure mineral flotation results showed optimal conditions: pH 6 and BCBD concentration of 2.4 × 10−5 mol/L, with a maximum flotation difference of 87.31 %. For artificial-mixed-ore at pH 3, the unfloated product had 17.83 % Al 2 O 3 , 11.06 % N 2 O + K 2 O, 69.97 % SiO 2 , and 73.54 % feldspar recovery; the floated product reached 92.03 % SiO 2 , 57.99 % yield, and 89.52 % quartz recovery. The flotation effect of BCBD focuses on high-quality feldspar and high SiO 2 recovery. The Zeta potential, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and contact angle measurements indicate that BCBD selectively adsorbs more on the quartz surface, thereby enhancing the hydrophobicity of quartz. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that the –CH 2 N(CH 3) 2 (CH 2) 4 N(CH 3) 2 CH 2 – group of BCBD, with a high positive charge, enables easy adsorption on nucleophilic mineral surfaces. Further analysis based on the extended Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (E-DLVO) theory and surface energy calculation, showing that there are thermodynamic differences in the interaction between BCBD and quartz and feldspar, mainly regulated by the electrostatic-hydration synergy. Crucially, the difference in hydration barriers between quartz and feldspar is the key to selective flotation separation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:01694332
DOI:10.1016/j.apsusc.2025.165468