2237
Cooperation of Nanobubbles and Mixed Cationic/Anionic
Collector on the Fine Lepidolite Flotation
Zheyi Zhang, Fen Jiao, Wenqing Qin
School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha, China
Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Clean and Efficient Utilization of Strategic Calcium-containing Mineral
Resources, Central South University, Changsha, China
ABSTRACT: Nanobubbles (NBs) have recently been used for fine particle flotation, and mixed cationic/anionic
collectors have shown powerful effects in flotation of lepidolite. In this paper, NBs were combined with mixed
cationic/anionic collectors, and the mechanism of both in the fine lepidolite flotation process was investigated.
The mechanism of the effect of NBs and mixed cationic/anionic collectors on the surface hydrophobicity of
lepidolite was proposed, and the effect of NBs on the flotation of fine-grained lepidolite was explained.
Keywords: Nanobubbles Fine lepidolite Mixed cationic/anionic collectors
INTRODUCTION
lepidolite is a raw material essential for the development of
modern science and technology. It is commonly referred
to as a ‘strategic metal’, ‘energy metal’, and ‘element that
drives the world forward’. It is widely used in various fields,
including lepidolite -ion batteries, the nuclear industry, and
solid fuel.[1,2] Due to the increasing demand for lepidolite,
lepidolite has become one of the most important resources
for its extraction in China. Therefore, the recycling of
lepidolite resources in lepidolite has received significant
attention. In the grinding process, both valuable and vein
components will produce different degrees of over-crush-
ing.[3] While in the flotation process, the low probability of
collision and adhesion of fine-grained minerals to bubbles
and the slow flotation rate lead to low recovery rates.[4–6]
Therefore, the development of flotation reagents and pro-
cesses for fine grained lepidolite is an urgent challenge for
lithium resource recovery.
Nanobubbles (NBs) are commonly used to solve
fine particle flotation problems,[7,8] which have the
characteristics of small size and good stability, and can
selectively attach to the surface of hydrophobic minerals,[9]
providing long-range hydrophobic force between mineral
particles, thus promoting hydrophobic flocculation of
fine particles,[10] which has a greater advantage in improv-
ing the flotation recovery of fine minerals.[11–13] The use
of mixed cationic/anionic collectors has become a popu-
lar research topic in recent years.[14–15] These collectors
typically self-assemble in solution due to the interaction
of hydrogen bonding and van der Waals force, forming a
unique structure.[16] When anionic and cationic agents are
combined, they exhibit electrostatic attraction and higher
surface activity compared to a single agent. This property is
beneficial in achieving a better collectivity.[17–18]
In this paper, NBs and mixed cationic/anionic collec-
tors (DDA/HQ330) were combined and introduced into
the fine lepidolite flotation system. The characteristics of
NBs and their mechanism of action on fine lepidolite par-
ticles were studied, the influence of surface NBs on the
flotation of fine lepidolite was discussed and the effect of
Cooperation of Nanobubbles and Mixed Cationic/Anionic
Collector on the Fine Lepidolite Flotation
Zheyi Zhang, Fen Jiao, Wenqing Qin
School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha, China
Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Clean and Efficient Utilization of Strategic Calcium-containing Mineral
Resources, Central South University, Changsha, China
ABSTRACT: Nanobubbles (NBs) have recently been used for fine particle flotation, and mixed cationic/anionic
collectors have shown powerful effects in flotation of lepidolite. In this paper, NBs were combined with mixed
cationic/anionic collectors, and the mechanism of both in the fine lepidolite flotation process was investigated.
The mechanism of the effect of NBs and mixed cationic/anionic collectors on the surface hydrophobicity of
lepidolite was proposed, and the effect of NBs on the flotation of fine-grained lepidolite was explained.
Keywords: Nanobubbles Fine lepidolite Mixed cationic/anionic collectors
INTRODUCTION
lepidolite is a raw material essential for the development of
modern science and technology. It is commonly referred
to as a ‘strategic metal’, ‘energy metal’, and ‘element that
drives the world forward’. It is widely used in various fields,
including lepidolite -ion batteries, the nuclear industry, and
solid fuel.[1,2] Due to the increasing demand for lepidolite,
lepidolite has become one of the most important resources
for its extraction in China. Therefore, the recycling of
lepidolite resources in lepidolite has received significant
attention. In the grinding process, both valuable and vein
components will produce different degrees of over-crush-
ing.[3] While in the flotation process, the low probability of
collision and adhesion of fine-grained minerals to bubbles
and the slow flotation rate lead to low recovery rates.[4–6]
Therefore, the development of flotation reagents and pro-
cesses for fine grained lepidolite is an urgent challenge for
lithium resource recovery.
Nanobubbles (NBs) are commonly used to solve
fine particle flotation problems,[7,8] which have the
characteristics of small size and good stability, and can
selectively attach to the surface of hydrophobic minerals,[9]
providing long-range hydrophobic force between mineral
particles, thus promoting hydrophobic flocculation of
fine particles,[10] which has a greater advantage in improv-
ing the flotation recovery of fine minerals.[11–13] The use
of mixed cationic/anionic collectors has become a popu-
lar research topic in recent years.[14–15] These collectors
typically self-assemble in solution due to the interaction
of hydrogen bonding and van der Waals force, forming a
unique structure.[16] When anionic and cationic agents are
combined, they exhibit electrostatic attraction and higher
surface activity compared to a single agent. This property is
beneficial in achieving a better collectivity.[17–18]
In this paper, NBs and mixed cationic/anionic collec-
tors (DDA/HQ330) were combined and introduced into
the fine lepidolite flotation system. The characteristics of
NBs and their mechanism of action on fine lepidolite par-
ticles were studied, the influence of surface NBs on the
flotation of fine lepidolite was discussed and the effect of